A MONUMENTAL round of Vitality Netball Superleague action was had over the weekend, with Round 16 complete and the final stretch of the season in sight. A couple of sides are gaining on the top four whilst two franchises have officially booked their finals berths, creating plenty of intrigue with just a few more rounds to go and the final double round for the season coming in hot next week. 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 15 LADDER

1. Team Bath (14-1)
2. Loughborough Lightning (13-2)
3. Manchester Thunder (11-3)
4. Wasps Netball (10-5-1)
5. Saracens Mavericks (8-5-1)
6. Leeds Rhinos (8-7)
7. Strathclyde Sirens (7-6-2)
8. London Pulse (3-12)
9. Severn Stars (3-12)
10. Surrey Storm (2-13)
11. Celtic Dragons (1-14)

ROUND 15 LADDER

1. Team Bath (16-1)
2. Loughborough Lightning (14-2)
3. Manchester Thunder (13-3)
4. Wasps Netball (10-7-1)
5. Leeds Rhinos (9-7)
6. Strathclyde Sirens (8-6-2)
7. Saracens Mavericks (8-6-1)
8. London Pulse (3-13)
9. Severn Stars (3-13)
10. Surrey Storm (2-14)
11. Celtic Dragons (1-14)

It was the Celtic Dragons that had a much-deserved week off during Round 16, seeing the top sides battle it out as the top half of the ladder continues to heat up. Whilst ladder leaders Team Bath, Loughborough Lightning and Manchester Thunder all predictably continued their winning form, the latter two certainly did not have it easy in a tough round of VNSL action. That being said, Bath and Lightning have officially secured their respective post-season finals berths with another win apiece, while Thunder is within touching distance give it is two and a half wins ahead of Wasps in fourth. The Wasps frankly had a shocking round of action, falling at the hands of both Strathclyde Sirens and Thunder, effectively allowing the Sirens a sniff at a finals chance with eight wins on the board. The Sirens sit just half a win behind the Leeds Rhinos, who could well be in for a chance at finals in their maiden season, with both sides having leaped the Saracens Mavericks this round to really push for that top four position and test the Wasps. But all that is not to say the Mavericks are out of the race, with their shaky form this round coming against the Thunder, and a whopping five games in the bank heading into the last three weekends of home-and-away season action. Speaking of remaining matches, this is where the intrigue comes in with different amounts of matches played; Wasps currently sit in fourth, but have just two matches remaining for the season so realistically need to claim both by a significant margin to guarantee a spot in the top four. Both Rhinos and Sirens have four remaining, with the Sirens’ final four arguably the tougher draw of the two, whilst Mavericks’ five includes Wasps and Sirens so could well spoil the party for both sides and pave the way for the Rhinos. Both Rhinos and Mavs will face the Lightning, who have been in excellent form, while only Sirens are set to play Bath in the remaining rounds, though all four sides should realistically get an easy win on the board apiece with either Surrey Storm or Celtic Dragons ahead – or both, if its the Rhinos in question, with a matchup against London Pulse also on the cards.

RACE TO TOP FOUR CONTENTION:

WASPS NETBALL: 4th | Played 18 W 10 | L 7 | D 1 Round 17/18: Saracens Mavericks Round 19: Surrey Storm Round 20: BYE STRATHCLYDE SIRENS: 6th | Played 16 W 8 | L 6 | D 2 Round 17/18: Team Bath, Saracens Mavericks Round 19: Celtic Dragons Round 20: Manchester Thunder

LEEDS RHINOS: 5th | Played 16 W 9 | L 8 | D 0 Round 17/18: Loughborough Lightning, Surrey Storm Round 19: BYE Round 20: London Pulse, Celtic Dragons SARACENS MAVERICKS: 7th | Played 15 W 8 | L 6 | D 1 Round 17/18: Strathclyde Sirens, Wasps Netball Round 19: Team Bath, London Pulse Round 20: Surrey Storm

With all that being said, it is safe to say the remaining three rounds will be chock full of action as all four sides contend for what is realistically just one finals position, given Thunder have four matches left for the season and should win two of them fairly comfortably to secure third. The remaining four positions on the ladder go to London Pulse, Severn Stars, Surrey Storm and Celtic Dragons, with none of the four sides getting wins on the board during Round 16 and unlikely to really challenge for a mid-table position given their respective seasons. That being said, London Pulse have been creating some exciting efforts over the past few rounds and Dragons have had some improved form, so all four teams could potentially spoil the party for some of the higher teams with finals hopes. Looking to the double round, and all 11 teams will have an extra week to prepare for the final stretch with this weekend off. There are plenty of enticing contests to look forward to on the weekend of May 29th, namely a blockbuster matchup between Lightning and Rhinos, as well as Mavericks’ two matches against Sirens and Wasps, which are effectively do-or-die encounters for all three teams. Sirens will also test themselves against Bath, while Pulse and Dragons will shape up for a bottom-end match that could see plenty of exciting young talent on show and guarantee a side another win.

ROUND 15 COVERAGE

Sunday wrap // Monday wrap

ROUND 16 COVERAGE

Sunday wrap // Monday wrap – Past ladder updates: Round 3 // Round 4 // Round 5/6 // Round 7 // Round 8 // Round 9 // Round 10/11 // Round 12 // Round 13/14 // Round 15

Picture credit: Ben Lumley Photography