A THIRD double round of Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) action is up this weekend, with Round 10/11 set to provide some cracking matches that are sure to test sides now that we have reached the midway point of the season. Whilst a clean-cut top five has emerged, a number of teams are jostling for the next few positions and raring to go with a point to prove this weekend. All the sides that take the court twice this round will play the reverse fixture of their Round 8 opposition as the second half of the season gets underway.

>>>ROUND 8 WRAPS: Sunday // Monday

Friday, April 9

Strathclyde Sirens v. Loughborough Lightning

Expect an intriguing matchup here to open the round, with the Sirens and Lightning set to go head-to-head for a second time in as many weeks. Whilst the Lightning got the chocolates last time around, it was not by much in a hard fought battle, and both sides are sure to come out flying with so much on the line this round.

Last time they met, the Lightning narrowly came out on top by five goals, with a huge battle between Towera Vinkhumbo and Mary Cholhok setting the tone from the get-go. Whilst Cholhok won the war with 33 goals and the ‘W’ to her team’s form, Vinkhumbo won the battle rendering Cholhok inaccurate and clinching some game-breaking intercepts to maintain pressure. Around the court, expect the midcourt pairing of Nat Panagarry and Beth Cobden to really push the Sirens centre combinations, with Gia Abernethy looking to continue her solid form, whilst Sirens goalers Bethan Goodwin and Emma Barrie have worked into their new-look frontend partnership a bit more, so will look to test Lightning’s backend unit of Sam May and Round 8 player of the match in Jas Odeogberin.

Leeds Rhinos v. Team Bath

The Rhinos will look to topple Team Bath this week, and after seeing the Mavericks complete just that last round they could have a real chance to do so. On the flip side, Bath will be looking to go one better than a frustrating encounter last week that ruined its winning streak, so will be a tougher task than ever when they take on the steadily improving Rhinos.

It will be a battle of the goal attacks in this matchup, with Bath’s Sophie Drakeford-Lewis and Rhinos’ Rhea Dixon the ones to watch given their ability to not only dictate play, but also put up a wealth of shots and create movement out the front. The difference between the two circles, however, is the backup they receive, with Drakeford-Lewis’ partnership with stalwart goaler Kim Borger virtually unstoppable at times whilst Dixon is still working to really develop a connected two-way work ethic alongside Sienna Rushton. Defensively, Team Bath take the cake even in the absence of Imogen Allison, with the side able to still create plenty of turnover ball, while through the centre expect a huge matchup between England Roses livewires Jade Clarke and Serena Guthrie.

Tip: Lightning by 6, Bath by 12

Saturday, April 10

Surrey Storm v. Strathclyde Sirens

In an unprecedented bout of fixturing, both the Sirens and Storm had a week off last round so will come into this weekend of action reading to go. Whilst the Sirens had a great run of form before their Round 9 bye, the Storm are in an odd position following two straight bye rounds, which could be both a blessing and a curse in such a compacted season. While they are sure to come in refreshed, the lack of match fitness could be telling especially against an in-form Sirens side.

No matter the previous result of the round, expect the Sirens to come flying out of the blocks with plenty of intensity and desire to keep their improved form going with Goodwin and Barrie sure to continue their great partnership. That being said, the Storm have the likes of Karyn Bailey holding ground in goal shooter with Frankie Wells and Sophie Kelly rotating through goal attack, whilst Felisitus Kwangwa and Leah Middleton have been impressive albeit their limited court time over the past few rounds. Abernethy and Nicola McCleery have showcased their slick moving for the Sirens while there is no doubt Mikki Austin and Yas Parsons will be on the hunt for turnover ball through the centre after time away from the court.

Team Bath v. London Pulse

Bath will look to collect a second-straight win in as many days when they take on Pulse for the second time this season, with a huge 32-goal victory in Round 8 likely to set the tone in this encounter. With Allison still on the sidelines with injury expect Pulse to exploit that missing link, however the Bath back-end is not one of the most potent for no reason, making it a tough ask for the London side.

Expect Layla Guscoth and Eboni Usoro-Brown to get on top of the Pulse front-end once more, with Sigi Burger, Lefebre Rademan and Kira Rothwell showing some better form of late but unlikely to be enough to reign supreme against the ladder leaders. This will be Pulse’s chance to really exploit that missing specialist wing defence in Allison and counter it with their specialist wing in Adean Thomas, while at the other end Halimat Adio showed some great form last round, as did Zara Everitt, so they will look to shake things up for the Bath front-end. Rachel and Jess Shaw have been hugely reliable out the front for Bath so the Pulse will need to shut them down to create a close encounter here.

Celtic Dragons v. Loughborough Lightning

Expect a huge second match to complete Lightning’s round when they take on the Dragons, who are still yet to clinch a win and, realistically, are highly unlikely to do so against one of the most formidable teams in the competition. While the Lightning were proven only human last round, the side boasts impeccable combinations across the court that will ultimately outclass the Dragons, so expect another big win to Loughborough here.

The Lightning are punishing against many teams, and do not expect that to change when they take on the cellar-dwellers, with percentage crucial on the ladder this season. Cholhok will want to utilise her improved footwork against fellow tall timber Annika Lee-Jones down back, whilst at the other end Amy Clinton, Rebekah Robinson and Laura Rudland will look to spark the side into action. The side has not showed the accuracy they need to realistically get wins on the board, however taking advantage of their centre passes is a step in the right direction with realistically nothing left to lose this season and everything to gain if they take a step forward each match now.

Tip: Sirens by 9, Bath by 11, Lightning by 19

Sunday, April 11

Surrey Storm v. Manchester Thunder

Storm will take on Thunder in the opening match of Sunday’s triple header, with the Thunder eager to continue its great recent form and exploit Storm’s potential lack of match fitness. Like the aforementioned match, the Thunder should have this one clinched with relative ease given their form, however the Storm have plenty to prove so will certainly push Manchester.

Laura Malcolm and Caroline O’Hanlon are both livewires in their own right, but combining together as they have the past few rounds, and they are downright unstoppable through the centre. Ultimately, if the Storm are any chance of upsetting the Thunder this round, they will need to limit Malcolm and O’Hanlon’s access to the ball as much as possible. Austin and Parsons are realistically much more attacking options through the centre than defensive which will make the going tough here, however it is not outside the realm of possibility with a number of weeks to prepare for this matchup. Bailey will need to stand tall against and in-form Kerry Almond, whilst at the other end they will need Kwangwa and Middleton to stand up against Joyce Mvula and Ellie Cardwell.

Celtic Dragons v. Wasps Netball 

Expect another Wasps win here as the side looks to retain a top four position this round, with a win here critical to ensure they stay in touch with the top sides. Realistically, they should not have much difficulty getting a win on the board given they take on the winless Dragons, who they disposed of by 14 goals last time around.

The Wasps have proven in the past weeks that they are more than capable of testing sides, and will look to continue their solid run with another win over the Dragons. The ever-reliable attacking duo of Katie Harris and Rachel Dunn is hard to stop when it gets going, with both players able to share or carry the load depending on what the side requires, while Iona Christian is in fine form through the centre. Expect Clinton and Robinson to be really tested by the Wasps’ versatile defensive unit in Fran Williams and Josie Huckle, in what could be the match-winning end of the court.

Severn Stars v. Saracens Mavericks

Expect an intriguing battle between the Stars and the Mavericks to complete Sunday’s results, with both teams looking to continue a strong string of form. Whilst the Mavericks were heavily beaten by the Thunder last round they will hope to fly out of the blocks in this one, whilst the Stars had two great encounters last week despite a close loss so will have plenty to prove.

With Razia Quashie likely to remain on the sidelines after going down with an ankle injury last round, the Mavericks will need to do a reshuffle of its backend with Jodie Gibson and Jo Trip fortunately both defensive powerhouses in their own right, but not quite providing the aerial ability that Quashie does. The Stars will look to exploit that potential missing link in the goal circle with Georgia Rowe and Paige Reed showcasing an improved partnership in past rounds, with the latter in particular really proving her playmaking ability both in the goals and around circle edge. It will be in the midcourt that could see the Mavs take control, with Gabby Marshall and Sasha Corbin virtually unstoppable with their cleanliness and two-way running ability, whilst Lucy Harris and Bethan Dyke will need to be highly creative.

Tip: Thunder by 15, Wasps by 19, Mavericks by 8

MONday, April 12

Wasps Netball v. Saracens Mavericks

This matchup between fourth ranked Wasps and fifth ranked Mavericks is one of the matches of the round, with a top four spot up for grabs and bragging rights after the two sides have continuously leapfrogged each other all season. But with the Mavericks’ key defender in Quashie still likely out of the contest, the Wasps have a real chance here to clinch a crucial win and stay in touch with the top sides.

Expect a hugely hard fought matchup here, with both sides boasting key options all around the court. The centre-court battle is where this one could be won and done with Wasps’ Christian, Amy Flanagan and Sophia Candappa proving hugely unstoppable, whilst the Mavs will look to counter that with Corbin, Marshall and the likes of Georgia Lees. Mavericks goalers Ine-Mari Venter, Britney Clarke and Kadeen Corbin have all showcased some fine form as they continue to develop their partnerships, however the Wasps’ defensive unit matches up relatively well. Realistically, the Wasps frontend and Mavs backend match up similarly too, making for an intriguing battle.

Leeds Rhinos v. Manchester Thunder

Expect an intriguing battle to close Round 10/11 of VNSL action, as the newest franchise in Rhinos take on the reigning 2019 premiers, Thunder. Whilst the Rhinos have showcased some strong form of late and came close against the Thunder in Round 8, they will have a real task here so will need to really bring their A-game.

Thunder’s combination of Almond and Rebekah Airey will be crucial in this encounter, especially in shutting down the in-form Dixon and Rushton, with the duo knowing what to expect this time around. However that could be said for the entire court, with Rhinos in with a reasonable chance of testing the Thunder, especially if they can limit the ease of ball movement to Mvula and Cardwell, with Vicki Oyesola consistently wreaking havoc down back and the likes of Tuaine Keenan and Paige Kindred showcasing some clean movement to force errors. Clarke’s inevitable matchup with O’Hanlon is sure to set the midcourt alight, with plenty of hunt and daring out in centre.

Tip: Wasps by 4, Thunder by 13