Club netball action was back in full swing over the weekend featuring many familiar faces. If you missed any of the action here’s our report from around the courts.
Suncorp Super Netball League
Credit – Suncorp Super Netball
Australia’s premier netball league returned over the weekend in some style. There were many nail biting contests featuring a single goal victory in two matches. The Melbourne Vixens and Collingwood Magpies started the weekend off with a thriller.
A 16-9 second quarter put the Vixens in a healthy position but an inspired second half comeback by the Magpies made it a tense final quarter. The Vixens did eventually come away the win, 59-58, with a clinical display from Malawi’s Mwai Kumwenda – who was the top goal scorer in Gold Coast 2018.
The biggest win of the weekend came from West Coast Fever, where they put in an impressive display over the the Adelaide Thunderbirds. It was a record breaking performance by Jhaniele Fowler-Reid who took a personal goal tally of 66 – which is the highest in a single match in Suncorp Super Netball League history. Not a bad way to make your debut.
The Giants and Sunshine Coast Lightning renewed their rivalry over the weekend, which was the Grand Final last season. It was a different outcome to the Grand Final this time, as the Giants secured the win, 54-51. A combination of Jo Harten and Susan Pettitt scored all the goals for the Giants.
Concluding week one of play was the NSW Swifts and the Queensland Firebirds in which the Swifts won the game by a one goal margin. Sophie Garbin, on her debut, sunk the match winning shot after her side had been trailing by eight goals late in the third quarter.
Full Results
Melbourne Vixens 59 – 58 Collingwood Magpies
Adelaide Thunderbirds 56 – 74 West Coast Fever
Giants Netball 54 – 51 Sunshine Coast Lightning
NSW Swifts 54 – 53 Queensland Firebirds
Next week West Coast Fever host the Collingwood Magpies. For a full set of next weeks fixtures click here.
Standings
Credit – Suncorp Super Netball
Vitality Superleague
Credit – @Wasps_Netball
Over to the UK, where defending champions Wasps, remain top of the league. They secured their 10th win of the season in a tough game against Manchester Thunder on Friday night. Thunder was within a point of Wasps until the final minute, however, Wasps took it up a gear to remain unbeaten.
Loughborough Lightning secured a 58-43 victory over Severn Stars following a impressive display from Shamera Sterling. Sterling was in fine form for Jamaica during the Commonwealth Games and she has continued where she left off for her club side. She limited the chances the opposition had at goal which helped Loughborough to their sixth win of the season.
Second place benecosMavericks stays just ahead of Loughborough Lightning after their 57-41 victory over Team Bath. Team Bath remain fifth, three points behind Manchester Thunder who occupy fourth spot.
Elsewhere, Surrey Storm won their second game of the season with a victory over UWS Sirens, while Team Northumbria secured their first win of the campaign in a away win over the Celtic Dragons.
Full Results
Wasps Netball 64 – 60 Manchester Thunder
UWS Sirens 44 – 58 Surrey Storm
Celtic Dragons 51 – 56 Team Northumbria
Severn Stars 43 – 58 Loughborough Lightning
benecosMavericks 57 – 41 Team Bath
For next weekends set of fixtures click here.
Standings
Credit – Vitality Superleague
ANZ Premiership
New Zealand’s elite netball league, the ANZ Premiership returns this weekend! Click here for a full fixture list.
Header image credit – GIANTS Netball