A MUCH needed week away from Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) action saw no teams take the court last weekend, instead offering up a bye round ahed of the second leg of the season which kicks off at a second venue, Copper Box Arena in London. Teams will hope to be refreshed heading into this round and reset for a huge second half to the 2021 season, with fatigue sure to set in with so much on the line. Some sides will also hope to return some injured players to the court with the break offering tired legs a rest at the very least, whilst Manchester Thunder will enjoy an extended break with this round off.

>>>ROUND 1/2 WRAPS: Friday/Saturday // Sunday/Monday

SUNDAY, APRIL 25

Celtic Dragons v. Team Bath

A top versus bottom encounter opens Round 12’s VNSL proceedings, with Team Bath entering this one looking to get its second half of the season underway in perfect circumstances, whilst the Dragons will be hoping to showcase some improvement and ultimately have nothing to lose at this point, with zero wins to their name for the year so far. Realistically, Team Bath have two ways they could go about this one – either developing some of its younger faces, or going hard and really getting their percentage up coming into the second half of the season. For the Dragons, they will mostly be looking to showcase some consistency and perhaps reduce their error rate against one of the leading teams in the competition.

Expect a hard fought defensive effort from the Dragons, with Annika Lee-Jones continuing to work hard down back for the side as she takes on fellow Australian import, Kim Borger at the post. While the two match up very differently, there is no doubt Borger’s wealth of experience and crafty footwork will likely see her gain the upper hand, while her great combination with Sophie Drakeford-Lewis in goal attack is sure to see plenty of goals hit the scoreboard for Bath. The other end will be where the magic happens for Bath though, with the defensive unit sure to put on a show. With the latter stage of the competition now in sight, Bath will want to pile on the percentage as the season continues and retain top spot, with the likes of Layla Guscoth and Eboni Usoro-Brown able to pile on the pressure as Serena Guthrie opens up the midcourt. Shona O’Dwyer will likely be tasked with limiting Guthrie’s impact, while the likes of Rebekah Robinson and Amy Clinton will want to have a big one out the front to try and test the ladder leaders.

Severn Stars v. Strathclyde Sirens

Expect an intriguing battle here, as the Stars and Sirens go head-to-head. Whilst the two sides have had fairly frustrating seasons, it is arguably the Sirens that have the upper hand in this encounter with form and confidence on their side. Meanwhile, the Stars have not necessarily failed to bring the heat this season, but have struggled to string consistent quarters together and will need to throw everything they have got at the Sirens to get a win on the board here, especially given the Sirens got the points last time they met.

Injury to Bethan Dyke looked to spell trouble for the Stars, however a return from retirement to Kyra Jones will see the side look to rally in Dyke’s midcourt absence, as they hope to atone for a shaky season. Jones is sure to supply plenty of smooth ball movement through the centre regardless of her match fitness, with the reliable centre a real workhorse down the court, and expect a tantalising potential matchup with Sirens captain Gia Abernethy. The Sirens’ frontline is improving week on week with Bethan Goodwin and Emma Barrie continuing to ply their trade and proving to be a tough code to crack, with Stars’ defence in Adi Bolakoro, Nia Jones and Lucy Herdman looking to limit any easy ball movement down the court. Expect plenty of action at the other end with Paige Reed and Georgia Rowe hoping to thwart the continuous efforts of impressive Sirens defender, Towera Vinkhumbo.

Saracens Mavericks v. Leeds Rhinos

A huge clash here is expected with the injury-ridden Leeds Rhinos hoping to overcome their demons for a win here against the Mavericks. Whilst the Mavs did get the chocolates last time they met, it was by a mere four goals against a depleted Rhinos outfit and this time it could well be the Mavs with the injury trouble and no confirmation yet whether Razia Quashie will be fit to play following an ankle injury a couple of weeks back. Given the Mavericks are the more in-form side they should realistically get the job done, however confidence and returns from injury can do a lot for a team, making the Rhinos a real potential to take out a win here.

Expect a really interesting and even set of matchups around the court, with both sides travelling along fairly nicely now they have all their key cogs in place. The Rhinos have some catching up to do on the ladder so will go in hard here to steal a critical win, although the Mavericks will want to remain in touching distance of the top four so need a win here. Expect Ine-Mari Venter and Kadeen Corbin to step up in the goal circle against the likes of Vicki Oyesola and Tuaine Keenan, while at the other end a huge battle is expected with Rhea Dixon and returnee Donnell Wallam taking on the potentially depleted – but still potent – defensive line for the Mavs, with Jo Trip and Jodie Gibson certainly no slouches even if they continue to miss the services of Quashie in goal keeper. The midcourt will surely seal the deal, with Rhinos’ Fi Toner, Brie Grierson and Jade Clarke taking on the likes of Sasha Corbin, Georgia Lees and Gabby Marshall, with both sides set to create an exciting set of matchups in the centre third and beyond.

Wasps Netball v. Loughborough Lightning

Expect a huge clash here between two of the top sides, with a win here from the Wasps proving they are here for the crown, and a win for the Lightning proving they have what it takes this season. Both boasting star-studded lineups with very litlte injury concerns to speak of, we are sure to see another huge and close encounter between the two sides with their Round 1/2 matchup coming down to just one goal, the way of the Lightning. That being said, the side was missing Ella Clark in the opening round and has secured her services since then, so the Wasps will need to tighten up to ensure they get points on the board here.

What will be the kicker in this encounter is the loss of key wing attack and Wasps captain, Sophia Candappa, with the midcourter stepping away from the court for the remainder of the season following her pregnancy announcement. Elevated training partner Leah Goss could be selected to take the court in her replacement, but the question will remain of how well the Wasps midcourt will cope against Lightning’s wealth of experience and viable centre-court options. Fortunately for the side, Iona Christian and Amy Flanagan have both been in scintillating form so will look to continue to provide the hard yards through the midcourt, and whilst the side will lack the potency of Candappa’s feeds into Rachel Dunn and Katie Harris, it will be an intriguing battle nevertheless. Christian and Flanagan will have their work cut out for them against Beth Cobden and Nat Panagarry through the centre, while the exciting attack of Clark and Mary Cholhok will look to star early to put the Wasps on the back foot from the get-go.

Tip: Bath by 30, Sirens by 11, Mavericks by 2, Lightning by 8

MONDAY, APRIL 26

Wasps Netball v. Severn Stars

The Wasps and Stars are the two lucky sides that are thrown straight back into consecutive matches, and both will likely be looking to nurse some wounds and put their best foot forward in this encounter. Last time they met, the Wasps flew out of the blocks and did not look like stopping throughout, so they will want to do that again to really send a warning sign to the competition. The Stars have struggled to string consistent quarters together this season so will aim to do so here, with consistency and flow some things that the Wasps are very good at disrupting.

Regardless of the scores from the day prior, you can always expect the Wasps to come out flying in their second matchup of the weekend with the extra push and endurance to get the job done. Expect Fran Williams and Josie Huckle to continue their excellent combination this season, rarely looking beaten in a contest and continuously providing the goods down back, while the side will look to settle their midcourt lineup against the Stars – and are fortunate the Stars will be adjusting their own mids too with the return of Jones – and ready themselves for a huge double round next week. For the Stars, Rowe and Reed will have their work cut out for them out the front against Williams and Huckle, and whilst their midcourt should match up fairly well with Lucy Harris creating attacking forays, the Stars will need a big effort here to down the Wasps.

Surrey Storm v. London Pulse

Expect an intriguing matchup here, with both sides labouring at the bottom-end of the ladder and unfortunately, no end in sight. That being said, the Pulse are back on their home court now and are familiar with the atmosphere Copper Box brings, which may well push them over the line. Factor in that the Pulse have an even spread of star competitors across the court in comparison to Surrey’s star midcourt and attacking lineup, and the pink side should realistically be able to get up here – especially when you factor in that they will be fighting for bragging rights after going down to the Storm in Round 1/2.

Both teams boast a calm, composed and accurate international goaler out the front, with solid partnerships across the court. Expect Pulse’s Sigi Burger and Storm’s Karyn Bailey to be the bookends, able to take the lobs into the circle and find space at the post with ease, with Burger ably assisted by the likes of Kira Rothwell and Lefebre Rademan, while Bailey will look to bring youngster Sophie Kelly and the rapidly improving Frankie Wells into the match. Defensively, Leah Middleton and Felisitus Kwangwa are sure to bring the heat against the Pulse, whilst London’s Funmi Fadoju will look to continue her excellent form in the back-end alongside Halimat Adio and Zara Everitt.

Tip: Wasps by 12, Pulse by 5