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)

ROUND 7 LADDER

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

A number of changes have graced the ladder standings this week, with Loughborough Lightning’s bye round allowing Team Bath to catch up on matches and officially take number one spot on the ladder, remaining undefeated from eight outings this season. But while Wasps had a real chance to put some pressure on the Lightning, a draw with Strathclyde Sirens – the Sirens’ second in two rounds – only keeps the side ahead of Saracens Mavericks due to the match discrepancies and percentage, having played one more match than the Mavs. The only other major change to the ladder saw Manchester Thunder and Leeds Rhinos bump up a position each credit to respective wins as the Sirens fell to seventh, with one draw and one loss for the round going against them. Looking at the number of matches played, three sides sit on just six games apiece, and intriguingly have all struggled with consistency in patches during the season. The Mavericks have struggled to uphold their efficiency and endurance for a full quarters this season, and while they sit in fourth they are realistically still yet to play the top sides and prove themselves against a top team. A 29-goal loss to Loughborough Lightning is their only blemish so far bar their Round 5/6 draw with the Sirens, which could be telling of how the side would shape up against a unit like Team Bath. Much like the Mavs, Thunder has had great moments and lowly moments throughout the season, and have only played more than one match in a round on one occasion which could ultimately go against them in the long run given how they have struggled to maintain intensity for a full four quarters. London Pulse are in a similar position with their six matches, struggling to capitalise and still sitting 1-5 in eighth despite the high calibre of players across the court. Just two teams sit on eight matches played, with the Sirens and Surrey Storm both sitting in the mid-table logjam but with very different records with the Sirens’ three wins, three losses and two draws painting a very different picture to Storm’s two wins and six losses. The Sirens have arguably been one of the big improvers this year and continue to challenge teams, whilst the Storm have laboured away but ultimately been unable to really put a dent in the competition. Meanwhile, six sides sit on seven matches apiece, with Bath, Lightning and Wasps clearly leading the charge, whilst Rhinos are sandwiched in the middle in sixth with four wins and three losses, and Severn Stars (10th) and Celtic Dragons (11th) continue to struggle for purchase at the bottom. Expect Round 8 to throw some intriguing results and further ladder movement into the mix, with Sirens given a chance to challenge the Lightning who are fresh off an extended break, whilst Thunder will look to continue its rise up the ladder once more when they take on the Rhinos. Surrey Storm is afforded the round off as London Pulse and the Rhinos take the court twice over the two days, with the Mavs and Wasps realistically in with a good chance to retain their winning record and Team Bath look to hold onto top spot once more.

ROUND 5/6 COVERAGE

Friday/Saturday wrap // Sunday/Monday wrap Team Bath analysis Stats: Round 5/6

ROUND 7 COVERAGE

Sunday wrap // Monday wrap Stats: Round 7 – Past ladder updates: Round 3 // Round 4 // Round 5/6