MONDAY’S Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) matchups were nothing to scoff at, as two huge clashes proved just how close the race is to the final four. Wasps and Thunder played in their respective second matches for the round, with the former making it two losses for the weekend as the Thunder continued their winning streak wth two wins. Both winners were rendered less potent than usual, with neither losing side willing to let their opposition run away with a significant margin.

 Wasps Netball (47) defeated by Manchester Thunder (53)

Player of the match: Joyce Mvula (Manchester Thunder)

Unfortunately for the Wasps, they could not replicate their excellent Round 5/6 victory over the Thunder as they went down by six goals to the side. It was a tight contest throughout though, and given Thunder’s recent form and Wasps’ injury woes, it could well have been a much more significant margin, proving just how tight the season is shaping up to be. Unfortunately for the Wasps, this allows the fifth and sixth teams on the ladder to remain within touching distance. It was only the third quarter where the Wasps really left something to be desired, as the Thunder came out hunting in the second half after sitting 24-all at half time. A 29-23 second half showcased the third-ranked side’s ability to hold out under pressure, and despite compiling more penalties, were able to ride the momentum to the very end.

Joyce Mvula has had some excellent form for Thunder, and this match was no different as the Malawian piled on another 37 goals to star at the post. While she did register five penalties, Eleanor Cardwell provided a viable option too finishing with 16 from 17 in another classy effort as Amy Carter and Caroline O’Hanlon starred around circle edge. O’Hanlon was tested at times by Lily-May Catling who finished with two intercepts to her name, while Hannah Leighton got the goal keeper bib over the injured Josie Huckle and lived up to the role, creating four deflections and an intercept, finishing with three turnovers to lead her side. Rachel Dunn was consistent and dangerous as ever with 30 goals from 31 attempts while Gezelle Allison piled on 13 from 17 attempts but also had four unforced errors and earned a caution, seeing Katie Harris enter the contest but to little avail as she only put on four goals. Defensively, the tried and true combination of Emma Dovey, Rebekah Airey and Kerry Almond was hard to stop, especially with the services of Laura Malcolm shutting down effective feeds from her position in wing defence, having a day out without the efforts of Iona Christian feeding into the Wasps goal circle.

London Pulse (35) defeated by Loughborough Lightning (42)

Player of the match: Sam May (Loughborough Lightning)

An intriguing matchup played out between the London Pulse and Loughborough Lightning to complete the round, with Pulse really testing the Lightning throughout to only come away with a seven goal deficit as the match came to a close. It was only the first half effort from Pulse that really let them down in this one, scoring 17 goals to the Lightning’s 24. But while the Pulse could not whittle down the margin, they also made it tough for Lightning to add to it as the match went on, going even in the second half and forcing missed attempts from the usually dominant Lightning shooting end which booked a confirmed finals appearance with this victory. It was really the unforced error count that hurt the Pulse in the end, with 19 to the Lightning’s eight, despite Lightning topping the penalty count 57-48.

It was Lightning’s Sam May who deservedly won player of the match accolades for her huge effort to shut down feeds into Olivia Tchine at the post, while both Kira Rothwell and Lefebre Rademan had their turn in goal attack to release some of the pressure but were negated by the ever-difficult Jas Odeogberin. May’s four intercepts showcased plenty of hunt forcing hesitance from Adean Thomas and Rothwell feeding in, making it hard for the Pulse to score with ease as Odeogberin assisted well. Regardless, Tchine piled on 25 goals as Rothwell put on seven from seven. Mary Cholhok was defended superbly by Lindsay Keable and Funmi Fadoju with the former sacrificing her stats sheet to focus on the Ugandan, who was rendered inaccurate to finish with 33 goals from 43 attempts at 75 per cent, also creating five offensive penalties. Fadoju was an absolute livewire against Ella Clark, keeping the goal attack to nine goals and picking up six intercepts in the process. Beth Cobden continued her excellent form in wing defence for the Lightning, creating three intercepts.

Picture credit: Ben Lumley Photography