WITH Round 1 of the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) done and dusted Manchester Thunder, Saracens Mavericks and Team Bath dominated Draft Central’s Team of the Week credit to a couple of strong performances over the weekend. Loughborough Lightning, London Pulse and Surrey Storm were the only sides not to feature a player in this weeks team.

GK: Latanya Wilson (Celtic Dragons)

In her debut game the Jamaican showed just what she is made of, winning player of the match honours thanks to her defensive prowess and hunt for the ball. Wilson used her long reach to cause all sorts of trouble in the defensive third picking up a whopping 10 intercepts and collecting four deflections. The goal keeper did not look out of sorts instead rising to the occasion and using her deceptive speed and clever footwork to move around the body of her opponent in the circle and confuse the space.

GD: Loreen Ngwira (Manchester Thunder)

The talented defender put up a strong wall in defence propelling anything that came her way back down the court while also displaying her attacking nous through transition. Ngwira used her physicality to win the ball collecting an impressive four intercepts thanks to her vision and quick footwork to cover the court with ease. Although she drew plenty of attention from the umpire with 22 penalties and an eventual caution she made up for it with her good timing and defensive pressure constantly forcing turnovers. Ngwira racked up seven deflections such is her read of the play and netball smarts.

WD: Jade Clarke (Wasps Netball)

Despite the loss, the wing defence worked tirelessly for the Wasps trying to stop any easy passage to goal and using her experience to out manoeuvre her opponent. Her drive through the midcourt and sheer netball understanding is hard to combat able to consistently re-offer. Although she is not the tallest or fastest Clarke knows exactly where to go on the court blocking any attacking forays and getting hands to ball with a timely deflection. Her ability to stay in play was also another key element of her game play only recording six penalties showcasing her cleanliness and high netball IQ.

C: Imogen Allison (Team Bath)

In her new role though the midcourt Allison stepped up to the plate with the defensive minded centre showcasing her pressure creating a wealth of turnovers. Allison picked up two intercepts and three deflections highlighting her ability to get back and help out while also using her speed and good vision to deliver well weighted passes into the circle. The centre was a key cog through the midcourt providing link-up play and working hard to transition the ball down the court.

WA: Liana Leota (Severn Stars)

The experienced wing attack continued her merry way using her experience and speed to feed into the likes Georgia Rowe and Paige Reed. Leota backed herself across the court with her dynamic movement and change of speed a key component of her game play. Her attacking style of play and general netball understanding was on full display weaving her way through the attacking third and hitting the circle edge with pace and precision.

GA: Eleanor Cardwell (Manchester Thunder)

It is hard to go past the impressive performance of the Thunder goal attack who owned the position from the get go with her well-timed drives and strong hands on the take. She opened up space both in the circle and attacking third while her positioning under the post allowed her to collect valuable rebounds. Her accuracy and volume was high with Cardwell nailing 40 goals to keep her side well and truly in front throughout the contest.

GS: Kim Commane (Team Bath)

In her first game as captain, Commane did not disappoint with the highly skilled goaler able to sink them from anywhere in the circle nailing 55 goals. Her strong movement and ability to hold space in the circle gave her easy access to the post combining well with Sophie Drakeford-Lewis out the front. Commane was cool, calm and collected using her experience to create space in the circle while her clever footwork enabled her to demand the front space.

BENCH: Zanele Vimbela (Strathclyde Sirens), Sasha Corbin (Saracens Mavericks), George Fisher (Saracens Mavericks)

With impressive performances throughout Round 1 Vimbela, Corbin and Fisher were all unlucky to not get the start but made big enough impacts to earn a spot on the bench. In her first game for the Sirens, Vimbela jumped straight into the thick of things picking up an impressive six intercepts and three deflections credit to her defensive prowess and aerial ability to consistently get hands to ball. Through the midcourt Sasha Corbin was in fine form linking up with her sister in the circle and using her quick hands and footwork to secure circle edge and feed into the likes of Fisher. The Saracens goal shooter proved to be a dominant force in the goal circle with her commanding height, long reach and ability to reign in errant passes. Her accuracy and volume was also high converting an impressive 54 goals and four rebounds.