THE fourth round of Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) action will see 10 of the 11 teams go head-to-head once more, as Team Bath gets an extended break before the next double round commencing on March 12, handed the bye round this week. Whilst the ledger will even for a few side this round with the likes of Celtic Dragons and Surrey Storm finally getting a lighter load to take their respective match tallies to five apiece, both Manchester Thunder and London Pulse will play just their third match of the season as double headers are handed to Severn Stars (0-2) and Loughborough Lightning (2-1).

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Severn Stars v. Manchester Thunder

Severn Stars will return to the court with fresh legs after a week off to take on Manchester Thunder, but will well and truly have their work cut out for them with the undefeated Thunder realistically almost as well-rested as the Stars with two matches in two weeks. Whilst the Stars boast plenty of gut running to match the Thunder through the centre, the side’s real test will be in their ability to hold up under the pressure from Manchester’s smothering defensive and offensive ends, which are both formidable. Adi Bolakoro will be one of the players to watch down back for the Stars, and will need to stand strong against the likes of Ellie Cardwell and Joyce Mvula out the front for the Thunder, with both players capable of holding down the goal circle individually, let alone when paired together. Factor in powerhouse Laura Malcolm, who has added another string to her bow rotating into attack, and veteran Caroline O’Hanlon, and the Stars will have their work cut out for them to limit ball into the goal circle. Expect Liana Leota to be her usual flashy self in the midcourt, and find the likes of Georgia Rowe, Lucy Herdman and Paige Reed out the front for the Stars.

Strathclyde Sirens v. London Pulse

Expect an intriguing battle between the Sirens and Pulse, with the Sirens coming into this encounter 2-1 compared to the Pulse who have struggled to jumpstart their season despite looking like one of the teams to watch this season. But whilst the Sirens have used their gut-running and speed to their advantage so far this season, they will have a real test in this matchup with the Pulse given the London-based side is hungry for that elusive win, and realistically matches up well against both the Sirens’ quick attack and tall timbers in the circle. Expect the likes of Sigi Burger to step up in this encounter after a quiet round last week, with the South African goaler a critical head for the Pulse, whilst the dynamic movement of Adean Thomas and strength down back from Halimat Adio, Lindsay Keable and young gun Funmi Fadoju will be crucial to get a win here. Sirens’ steadfast goaling duo Bethan Goodwin and Lynsey Gallagher have really stepped up this season, as has youngster Emma Barrie where required, creating an exciting attack line that will test their form in this matchup. Factor in the development of Taylor Cullen through the midcourt working alongside Gia Abernethy and working in the back-end with Towera Vinkhumbo, and the Sirens could really push the Pulse here.

Wasps Netball v. Surrey Storm

For two sides lingering in the mid-section of the 2021 ladder, this match could be the difference heading into the first major break of the season to really kickstart both Wasps’ and Storm’s seasons. The Wasps are always a huge threat with such an experienced squad at their disposal, but Surrey has shown some exciting form pushing a couple of teams to the limit and could really test the Wasps here. That being said, there is no doubt the Wasps have the intensity and hunt to get the job done with plenty of figures who can lead the charge – namely it experienced attack unit of Rachel Dunn, Katie Harris and Sophia Candappa out the front. Gezelle Allison adds an extra element of excitement to the usually settled goal circle, whilst elsewhere Iona Christian provides another bit of versatility, and down back Josie Huckle has been a menace. For the Storm, Yas Parsons has been reliable as ever, joining forces with Mikki Austin injected at times and a tough frontline to combat in Karyn Bailey, Frankie Wells and youngster Sophie Kelly. Expect the Wasps to come out the better in this encounter given their formidable connections, but the Storm are sure to give the Wasps a huge test with form on their side.

Leeds Rhinos v. Loughborough Lightning

The final match of Sunday’s fixture sees a huge battle between two of the early top sides in Rhinos and Lightning, as both teams boast two wins and a loss apiece in the early stage of the season. But whilst the Lightning will field a full-strength side, the Rhinos are undermanned with three of its recruits going down across the first weekend and still working out its less experienced connections on the Superleague stage. Lightning boasts a hugely formidable frontline with Mary Cholhok always a tough battle, whilst Ella Clark returned last round and proved why she is such a force to be reckoned with. Factor in the side’s reliable midcourt stars in Beth Cobden, Nat Panagarry and Hannah Joseph, and they will be a tough beat in this contest. The Rhinos should realistically match the Lightning fairly well defensively with Vicki Oyesola shaping up well down back alongside Paige Kindred – though the latter may need to tidy up her act aft 17 penalties last round – but through the midcourt and attack may suffer with Jade Clarke the main port of call as the experienced head in centre, and a couple of highly talented but relatively inexperienced goalers in Rhea Dixon and Sienna Rushton out the front.

Tip: Thunder by 15, Pulse by 8, Wasps by 13, Lightning by 10

–

MONDAY, MARCH 1

Celtic Dragons v. Saracens Mavericks

The Dragons will look to put their first win on the board from four prior attempts in this matchup, facing the Mavericks who will come into the round off the back of a huge loss last round that is certain to spur them on against the Welsh side. Whilst South African signing Ine-Mari Venter is still yet to take the court for the Mavericks, the side has shown some solid form across the court, namely in the centre and back-end with Razia Quashie holding ground down back and Sasha Corbin key through the midcourt, combining well with Gabby Marshall, Georgia Lees and propel ball into the circle. The real test in this one will be the Mavericks frontline against the Dragons’ defence, with Annika Lee-Jones holding strong in goal keeper for the Dragons, and lining up against the relatively inexperienced Britney Clarke who has shown some good signs out the front but is still developing her craft alongside Chloe Essam and experienced attacker Kadeen Corbin. The Dragons will look to utilise its zippy midcourt in Laura Rudland, Clare Jones and Shona O’Dwyer as well as its developing front-end in Amy Clinton and Rebekah Robinson, with the real trick to really inject Robinson into the contest.

Loughborough Lightning v. Severn Stars

Lightning and Stars will go head-to-head in the final match of the round, with both teams back for a second outing across the weekend. Whilst the Stars will have plenty to prove in this matchup, they are sure to come out flying against the Lightning who have looked hot this season and are looking confident across the court. Lightning defensive unit in Sam May, Alice Harvey and Jas Odeogberin will look to apply tough pressure from the get-go and really test the Stars attack, who will come in marginally more rested. Stars will need their experienced heads to step up and maintain pressure against the Lightning firepowers, and limit any ease of access to the goal circle and Cholhok’s waiting sticky fingers, with Bolakoro and Nia Jones needing to partner with Lucy Harris, Leota and Bethan Dyke through the centre to control proceedings and really command the match against a powerful looking Lightning side.

Tip: Mavericks by 16 goals, Lightning by 12