ROUND 7 of Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) action is complete, with Team Bath and Leeds Rhinos reigning supreme in the final two matches of the round. Both blue and yellow sides proved clinical, with Bath taking top spot on the ladder drawing even with Loughborough Lightning for matches, as Leeds moved up to sixth following their fourth win of the season.

Team Bath (47) defeated Strathclyde Sirens (36)

Player of the match: Serena Guthrie (Team Bath)

The undefeated Bath came into this matchup against a Strathclyde Sirens side with plenty to prove, and could not take their foot off the pedal throughout with the Scottish side unwilling to let Team Bath pull away. Realistically, it was only the first and last quarters where Bath got the jump on Sirens, rendering the side to single digit scores on both occasions, but otherwise the Sirens were relentless and consistent throughout, proving they can challenge the top sides with their newfound confidence this season. While the Sirens sink to eighth at the completion of this round, that is more due to their two draws which ultimately say more about the side’s development and hunt this season than their pitfalls.

It was the leaders who needed to step up in this one, and eventual player of the match Serena Guthrie was the one to do so using her signature flair, speed and aerial ability to impact on the contest time and again. Guthrie proved crucial, cleaning up the loose ball provided by Layla Guscoth, Eboni Usoro-Brown and Imogen Allison, and propelling the play forward to Kim Borger (29 goals from 32 attempts at 90 per cent) and Sophie Drakeford-Lewis (18 from 19 at 95 per cent). To the Sirens’ credit, Towera Vinkhumbo worked tirelessly down back to deny ball to Borger, piling on the pressure with her five intercepts and three deflections but also wasting nine turnovers and picking up 11 penalties. Emma Barrie was down on her typical accuracy with 17 goals at 74 per cent, while Bethan Goodwin and Niamh McCall put in the hard yards to combine for 19 goals.

Leeds Rhinos (42) defeated Severn Stars (38)

Player of the match: Rhea Dixon (Leeds Rhinos)

The final match of the round saw Leeds Rhinos hold out in a thriller against the Severn Stars, with both sides undermanned through the midcourt but still providing an exciting tussle. Whilst a huge second half effort from the Stars saw them remain in the hunt, they could not overcome the four-goal first half deficit which was set in the Rhinos’ 12-goal to nine second term, but still ran out gallant in defeat following an enthralling battle.

Player of the match Rhea Dixon was once again a shining light for the Rhinos, well and truly stepping up, combining well with Brie Grierson out the front and delivering ball on a silver platter to Sienna Rushton at the post. Dixon also put up 13 goals from 14 attempts and piled on three intercepts and a deflection in an excellent all-round effort. Rushton (29 goals from 34 attempts at 85 per cent accuracy) was not phased by the physicality or pressure from Lucy Herdman (five intercepts and eight deflections but 15 penalties and 11 turnovers) or Iman Thomas, instead playing her own game out the front. At the other end, the return of Tuaine Keenan did wonders for the Rhinos, while Paige Kindred and Vicki Oyesola put in the hard yards to keep the scoring power to just one player with the load carried by Georgia Rowe (33 goals from 36 attempts) out the front for the Stars.