AFTER a huge Sunday of Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) action, Monday’s Round 9 results were always set to shake the competition up further – and that they did, with just one of the previous day’s winners getting a win on the board from the two matches.

Severn Stars (36) defeated by London Pulse (41)

Player of the match: Halimat Adio (London Pulse)

A huge start from the Pulse was just what the doctor ordered for the side which has struggled to string together quarters this season, and despite a second half comeback from the Stars it was the Pulse that held on for a five-goal victory. Limiting the Stars to just 12 goals in the first half, the Pulse could not maintain the same heat as the side turned the tables in the second half, but fortunately retained the lead long enough to hold off the Stars in a superb final quarter.

Whilst the Stars will be ruing missed attempts on goal, the Pulse should be relatively happy with their offensive end which, at the very least, utilised the gained ball its defensive unit – led by player of the match Halimat Adio – won back. Whilst Adio received a warning during the match, the goal keeper was crucial in keeping Stars sharpshooter Georgia Rowe to under 30 goals, whilst Zara Everitt, Funmi Fadoju and Lindsay Keable all combined to create the turnover ball Pulse so dastardly needed following its 19 unforced errors. The employment of South African duo Sigi Burger and Lefebre Rademan out the front appeared to do wonders with 28 and 13 goals respectively – with the goal attack shooting at 100 per cent – as the combination of Lucy Herdman, Nia Jones and Malysha Kelly could not stop the international duo in action.

Saracens Mavericks (37) defeated by Manchester Thunder (59)

Player of the match: Laura Malcolm (Manchester Thunder)

It was a consistent effort from the Thunder which saw them take out their second win of the weekend and fourth straight, as they topped Sunday’s surprise winners in Saracens Mavericks. Whilst the Mavs brought the heat early, it appeared the side had used much of its energy in their clash against Team Bath, and could not quite retain the same intensity and hunger against the 2019 reigning premiers, especially missing the services of star defender Razia Quashie. Whilst the two sides sat relatively evenly on the stats sheet, it was more of a matter of missed opportunities for the Mavs who lacked consistency and energy across the court, whereas the Thunder seemingly could not be stopped.

Speaking of unstoppable, it was a combination of Joyce Mvula (35 goals) and player of the match Laura Malcolm which set the tone, with both players forming critical links in their respective ends. Kerry Almond proved just what she is capable of with six gains, as the Mavericks were forced into shuffling the cards around for answers with Kadeen Corbin, Ine-Mari Venter and Britney Pringle-Clarke all struggling to have the desired impact as Malcolm and Caroline O’Hanlon utilised their smothering pressure to limit vision out the front. Without Quashie down back, the Mavericks were unable to generate as much turnover ball, showcasing just how much the goal keeper does to create gains and force errors from the opposition, with Jodie Gibson and Jo Trip certainly a formidable duo in their own right but not quite connecting the way the midcourt required them to.