A THIRD huge double round of Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) saw the end of the Wakefield leg of the competition, as the league shifts to London for the remainder of the season. Now that the VNSL has hit its midway point, the front-runners have well and truly made their mark on the competition as a lower-to-midtable logjam has emerged. In this new series, each week Draft Central will compare the most recent ladders given how quickly things can change, and delve into how each round of fixturing can change up positions based on the amount of matches each side has played.

ROUND 9 LADDER

1. Team Bath (8-1)
2. Manchester Thunder (7-2)
3. Loughborough Lightning (7-2)
4. Wasps Netball (6-2-1)
5. Saracens Mavericks (6-2-1)
6. Leeds Rhinos (5-4)
7. Strathclyde Sirens (3-4-2)
8. London Pulse (2-8)
9. Surrey Storm (2-6)
10. Severn Stars (2-8)
11. Celtic Dragons (0-9)

ROUND 10/11 LADDER

1. Team Bath (10-1)
2. Loughborough Lightning (9-2)
3. Manchester Thunder (9-2)
4. Wasps Netball (8-2-1)
5. Saracens Mavericks (7-3-1)
6. Leeds Rhinos (5-6)
7. Strathclyde Sirens (4-5-2)
8. London Pulse (2-9)
9. Surrey Storm (2-8)
10. Severn Stars (2-9)
11. Celtic Dragons (0-11)

Another big round of action sees just about every team now sitting on the same number of matches – 11 from 11 rounds, with just Surrey Storm left on 10. All 11 teams have a round off on the weekend to rest and recover before the second leg of the season, with plenty on the line and a real difference between the top and bottom ends of the ladder. During Round 10/11, the top four sides won matches to remain atop the ladder, with just goal percentage factoring into where each side landed as Loughborough Lightning and Manchester Thunder switched spots, and that move the only change for the entire double round – a fairly remarkable feat given the calibre of results. Fifth through to eleventh on the ladder saw no change in position this week, with Saracens Mavericks currently chasing an elusive top four position with seven wins to show for their season, as Leeds Rhinos and Strathclyde Sirens remain in sixth and seventh, realistically within touching distance of the top sides but on five and four wins for the season, compared to Team Bath up in first on 10 wins. As mentioned in other ladder updates however, the Rhinos’ significant injury list – which was thankfully shortened this week when Donnell Wallam and Fi Toner returned for the first time since Round 1/2 – and Sirens’ two draws – against the Wasps and Mavs, respectively – prove just how impactful the two teams can be, and could be major players come finals. London Pulse maintained its newfound position in eighth this round with just goal percentage ultimately keeping them there, with Surrey Storm and Severn Stars both on the same amount of wins (two) but trailing in ninth and 10th position, respectively. Unfortunately, and as per expectations at this stage of the season, the Celtic Dragons remain in eleventh at the bottom of the ladder with zero wins from their 12 outings, and with a huge 647 goals scored against them this season – 76 of them just from the Lightning on the weekend. Round 10/11 saw the first round of repeat encounters for the season, with Round 12 marking the second round of repeats at a new venue, the CopperBox Arena in London. Manchester Thunder have an extra week off following the overall bye round, with Wasps and Stars set to play the two matches, with this round mirroring that of Round 1/2’s fixtures, bar a couple of matches. Expect plenty of tight encounters with so much on the line in the second half of the season, with sides looking to welcome back injured players whilst others have a chance to really consolidate and work on new partnerships with a week way from the high stakes season.

ROUND 9 COVERAGE

Sunday wrap // Monday wrap Stats: Round 9

ROUND 10/11 COVERAGE

Friday/Saturday wraps // Sunday/Monday wraps Stats: Round 10/11 – Past ladder updates: Round 3 // Round 4 // Round 5/6 // Round 7 // Round 8 // Round 9