A WEEKEND away from the court has done some Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) franchises justice and others a disservice, as we delve into the significant ladder changes of not only a double round over the weekend, but also the benefits and struggles of an extended break. 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 4 LADDER

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

ROUND 5/6 LADDER

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

After a huge double round of action, it is safe to say there are more changes in positions on the ladder than teams staying in the same spot given the amount of high calibre encounters and tough circumstances. The double round allowed teams to get on a more even match ledger to some extent, with two teams – Loughborough Lightning and Surrey Storm – on seven games and having their respective weeks off in Round 7 and 8. Lightning has well and truly taken advantage of its early chances to lead the table, while Storm is trailing the bottom end of the ladder despite some strong efforts. Five sides have played six matches, while four have played just the five as the fixture quirks roll on in season 2021. As per usual, it appears to be the mid-table logjam that has seen significant movement with the top four once again seeing plenty of changes. Lightning once again missed being impacted by the continued movement given they sit atop the ladder by percentage, with Team Bath’s undefeated streak continuing and placing the blue and gold side in second, only behind Lightning by default with two less matches played. Fourth and fifth positions did not change this week, although it was not for a lack of trying with the Saracens Mavericks and Strathclyde Sirens unable to be split during the first draw of the season. Sirens’ opportunity to leap into the top four was shot down by a rampaging Leeds Rhinos looking to get back on the winners list, and seeing seventh spot remain in the hands of the newest franchise. Perhaps the biggest shock of the round was Manchester Thunder’s fall from grace, with the side going from 3-0 to 3-2 in the space of two days, with two huge losses seeing a massive drop in percentage and a sixth-place position on the ladder. Wasps ultimately went the opposite way, jumping from sixth to third with two hefty wins on the board after a somewhat sloppy start to the season. The bottom five sides – including Rhinos – have remained in the exact same positions as the past round, with both London Pulse and Severn Stars getting maiden wins on the board for the season, but also collecting a loss apiece to only remain behind Surrey Storm on percentage. Celtic Dragons’ frustrating season woes continued with a sixth straight loss to remain in 11th position, once again struggling to compete with their opposition and put consistent goals on the board. Arguably, the extra week off benefited Team Bath the most, with the side coming back from their extended break – including a Round 4 bye – refreshed and in a position to dominate twice in two days against Manchester Thunder and Severn Stars. Arguably, it was Thunder that suffered the most with two losses during the double round, struggling to keep the foot on the accelerator and proven unable to compete in the back-to-back contests after all three of their wins came in separate rounds with a week off between each match. Next round should prove interesting, with Thunder almost guaranteed a win against Dragons and a chance to skip up the ladder once more. Team Bath will once again play twice whilst Lightning have the round off, meaning Bath could well steal top spot following encounters with Surrey Storm and Strathclyde Sirens. Expect an intriguing matchup between Mavericks and Pulse, with both sides yet to really find their form this season and playing just the one match each, so likely to leave it all out on the court. The likes of Karyn Bailey, Rachel Dunn and Kim Borger will look to pile on the offensive pressure next round and challenge Mary Cholhok for top spot on the goaling tally, given the Ugandan goal shooter has the week off.

ROUND 4 COVERAGE

Sunday wrap // Monday wrap Stats: Round 4

ROUND 5/6 COVERAGE

Friday/Saturday wrap // Sunday/Monday wrap Team Bath analysis Stats: Round 5/6 – Past ladder updates: Round 3 // Round 4