ANOTHER huge double round of Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) action is complete, with the round accompanied by a league-wide social media blackout to stand up against online abuse. All 11 teams took to the court at Copper Box Arena in London, seeing plenty of intriguing matches get underway as the Celtic Dragons got a much-needed maiden win on the board for the season. 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 12 LADDER

1. Team Bath (11-1)
2. Loughborough Lightning (10-2)
3. Wasps Netball (9-2-1)
4. Manchester Thunder (9-2)
5. Saracens Mavericks (7-4-1)
6. Leeds Rhinos (6-6)
7. Strathclyde Sirens (5-5-2)
8. London Pulse (3-9)
9. Surrey Storm (2-9)
10. Severn Stars (2-11)
11. Celtic Dragons (0-12)

ROUND 13/14 LADDER

1. Team Bath (13-1)
2. Loughborough Lightning (11-2)
3. Manchester Thunder (10-3)
4. Wasps Netball (9-5-1)
5. Saracens Mavericks (8-5-1)
6. Leeds Rhinos (8-6)
7. Strathclyde Sirens (6-6-2)
8. London Pulse (3-11)
9. Severn Stars (3-11)
10. Surrey Storm (2-11)
11. Celtic Dragons (0-13)

A couple of changes graced this week’s ladder, following another huge double round. But whilst the mid-table teams in Saracens Mavericks, Leeds Rhinos and Strathclyde Sirens still continue to pester the top sides, there is no denying that Team Bath holds the mantle, only dropping out of top spot this weekend for a night before winning in two close encounters to complete the round on a high. While Bath is a full five wins ahead of both Mavericks and Rhinos, who are knocking on the door of top four contention, the finals are by no means decided with five more weeks – including a fifth and final double round – on the cards and sure to see sides pull out even more impressive performances. Looking down this week’s ladder, and the top two in Bath and Loughborough Lightning well and truly retain their mantle up top. Two wins behind Bath on 11 for the season and one game behind, Lightning could realistically overtake the blue and gold if the fixturing falls well for them in the coming rounds, but also need to be very aware of the form of Manchester Thunder and Wasps Netball in third and fourth, with the two sides continually leapfrogging one another. Although Thunder registered a third loss of the season this weekend, the impact was not felt too harshly as the Wasps were dealt two straight losses, ultimately allowing fifth and sixth ranked Mavericks and Rhinos to remain in the hunt. Arguably its the Rhinos who are in better form at the moment, only realistically trailing the Mavs because the side drew with Sirens early on, and readying to overtake in the coming weeks. Completing the mid-range portion of the ladder is the Sirens, with the side still in with a chance of finals despite ranking seventh, with a 6-6-2 record seeing them trail the Mavericks and Rhinos. Realistically, the side will need to not only win their remaining matches to have a chance at finals, but also rely on other results going astray – but if there is any side capable of defying the odds this season, it’s the continually improving Sirens. Heading into eighth and London Pulse still hold that mantle despite losing both encounters over the weekend, while the only other change of the round saw Severn Stars and Surrey Storm make a straight swap in positions, as the Stars came out with the win in their matchup to take ninth on the ladder. While Celtic Dragons still remain at the bottom of the ladder, a huge win over Storm would give them plenty of confidence, and now only sit one win behind Storm on the ladder. Looking to Round 15, and it’s safe to say that more ladder movement can be expected. Lightning have two very attainable wins at their disposal while Bath will face the in-form Rhinos, while the Mavericks will take a much-needed week off and hope that Razia Quashie is right as rain to return the following week. While Wasps are well within their rights to grab another win when they take on the Pulse, expect Sirens and Rhinos to both come knocking and force their hand, while Thunder will want to blow Dragons out of the water to ensure they stay in third.

ROUND 12 COVERAGE

Sunday wrap // Monday wrap Stats: Round 12

ROUND 13/14 COVERAGE

Friday/Saturday wraps // Sunday/Monday wraps – Past ladder updates: Round 3 // Round 4 // Round 5/6 // Round 7 // Round 8 // Round 9 // Round 10/11 // Round 12   Picture credit: Ben Lumley Photography