Surrey Storm, London Pulse and Manchester Thunder all sit on 27 points at the top of the Netball Super League as Round 11 is completed.
We’ve highlighted just some of those international stars that stood out this week…
Celtic Dragons 43 – 59 Manchester Thunder
Manchester Thunder claimed their eighth consecutive win against bottom-side Celtic Dragons in the opening match of Round 11.
Thunder started the match on the front foot gaining a seven goal lead in the first quarter. Trinidad & Tobago’s Shaquanda Greene-Noel was creating opportunities for the Dragons with five intercepts, five deflections and six turnovers in the match however Thunder continued to show their class and extend their lead.
By half-time Thunder had increased their lead to 12, with their attacking combination of England’s Natalie Metcalf and South Africa’s Lenize Potgieter combining on a number of occasions as Metcalf finished the match with 24 feeds and Potgieter 39 goals. Metcalf now sits top of the leagues Feeds chart, while Potgieter sits 3rd in the goals chart.
Dragons worked hard to make sure Thunder’s lead didn’t blow out, but Thunder took the win and now sit 3rd, joint on points with leaders Surrey Storm.
Team Bath Netball 51 – 61 Severn Stars
Team Bath Netball started this match well as they raced into a six goal lead at the end of the first quarter. England’s Jayda Pechova was battling hard for Team Bath as she claimed five interceptions, four deflections and six turnovers, but despite this Severn Stars were still looking to find South African shooter Sigrid Burger, and this proved successful. Burger ended the match with a huge 53 goals with Severn Stars leading at half-time.
Stars looked dominant in the second half with Jess Shaw continuing her good form this season as she racked up an impressive 46 feeds, the third-highest individual tally of any player this season, which earned the wing attack the Player of the Match award as she looks to push for a spot in the England Roses squad.
Severn Stars now sit fifth in the league and are just six points off the top four.
London Pulse 66 – 34 Leeds Rhinos
It did not take London Pulse long for them to impose themselves on this match with England Rose Funmi Fadoju making a number of turnovers as Pulse took a seven goal lead into the first break.
Fadoju racked up five interceptions, seven deflections and seven turnovers in the match and sits top of the leagues deflections chart.
Chelsea Pitman was at the heart of the Pulse attack providing a total of 26 feeds in the match, the most out of any player on the court, as Pulse went into half-time leading by 13.
In the shooting circle for London Pulse Olivia Tchine was clinical throughout netting 42 goals and missing just 3 as she earned the Player of the Match award.
Pulse ended the victory with a 32 goal lead and sit 2nd but are level on points with both Surrey Storm in 1st and Manchester Thunder in 3rd.
Strathclyde Sirens 61 – 65 Surrey Storm
Sirens started the match the better of the two sides and went into half time leading 35 – 29. Scottish Thistle Bethan Goodwin was key to the Sirens first half performance as she looked confident in shooting from all areas of the circle and ended with a match-high 43 goals scored.
Storm came out in the second half firing, converting four in a row with the battle between Uganda’s Peace and Malawi’s Vinkhumbo a standout in this match. Vinkhumbo was creating some chances, however, Sirens were unable to bring the ball through the court.
Storm dominated the third quarter 18 – 9 which ultimately won them the match as Sirens were beaten by the clock in the final quarter.
With 11 matches played, it is Surrey Storm who are leading the way in 1st place.
