VITALITY Netball Superleague (VNSL) Round 8 continued on Monday, with Saracens Mavericks slamming home an impressive win to remain within the top four, as Leeds Rhinos recovered well from their Sunday loss to register a two-goal victory over London Pulse.

Saracens Mavericks (53) defeated Severn Stars (36)

Player of the match: Razia Quashie (Saracens Mavericks)

A huge clash between the Mavericks and Severn Stars took place to open Monday’s proceedings, with a tight opening quarter seeing the two sides unable to be split. But an improved second quarter from the Mavs opened up a six-goal half time lead, which they retained throughout another even third quarter in what was shaping up to be a thriller if only the Stars could gain the upper hand. But it would not be done, as the Mavericks flew out of the blocks in the final term to run down the Stars with a 19-10 quarter, grabbing the win and percentage with both hands to come away with the 53-36 result.

It was a complete performance from the Mavs who did not change their starting seven throughout the match, trusting in their connections and seeing that consistency down the court really pay off. Livewire goal keeper Razia Quashie starred throughout the contest, piling on the pressure for six intercepts and four deflections, once again showcasing her take-off speed and innate timing to impact both on and off the ball. She – and Jo Trip out in goal defence – limited the chances of Georgia Rowe (14 goals from 15 attempts) and Paige Reed (22 from 26) getting goals on the board and were pivotal throughout blocking the vision of Bethan Dyke and Lucy Harris. At the other end, Ine-Mari Venter and Kadeen Corbin were just about unstoppable, with Venter putting up 35 goals from her 41 attempts as Corbin backed her up well with 18 of her own. Sasha Corbin and Gabby Marshall were clinical through the centre, while Jodie Gibson was clean back in wing defence.

London Pulse (38) defeated by Leeds Rhinos (40)

Player of the match: Funmi Fadoju (London Pulse)

It was a tight match from start to finish between the Pulse and Rhinos to complete Round 8, with Pulse’s excellent first and last quarter efforts dulled by Leeds’ clinical middle quarters which saw the two sides realistically unable to be split. But while the half-time two-goal margin went the way of the Pulse, an 11-goal to six third term from the Rhinos was just what the doctor ordered, stealing away the lead which they retained for the remainder of the match, despite losing the final term by one goal.

With 13 deflections and four intercepts to her name, Funmi Fadoju was the clear player of the match despite being in the losing side, dominating across both wing defence and goal defence throughout the encounter and forcing errors aplenty from the Rhinos. Her matchup against Rhea Dixon was highly sought after and did not disappoint, with the two talents giving their all as Dixon put 14 goals on the board to go with her three deflections. But while she could steal some of the attention off Sienna Rushton at the post, she could not stop the defensive work rate of Fadoju, Zara Everitt and Halimat Adio, as the latter piled on seven deflections and rendered Rushton much less accurate than usual registering 26 goals from 35 attempts. Nevertheless, the shared effort at the post did the job as they cam away with the victory, as despite Sigi Burger piling on 32 goals for London, the defensive pressure from Vicki Oyesola, Tuaine Keenan and Paige Kindred was too much with Kira Rothwell unable to work into the game and create her usual magic out the front.