Action shot during the Vitality Super League match between Wasps Netball and Loughborough Lightning at Copper Box Arena, London, England on 25th April 2021.
The 2021 Vitality Netball Superleague season returned over the weekend with six matches across two days in the first round staged at the Copper Box Arena.
The teamwork shown between players, coaches, staff and volunteers helped to get the season up and running with fans able to enjoy every pass, goal and intercept live on Sky Sports.
Here’s your recap of all the action…
The first match in the new venue on Sunday saw Team Bath Netball tested by bottom club Celtic Dragons as they ultimately ran out 51-34 winners.
Dragons stunned the league leaders in the first half to lead 18-17 before Bath surged ahead in the second, aided by the work of Cardiff Met University Player of the Match Kim Borger.
So wholesome 🥰
Team captains are running out with their team's nominated virtual mascots this weekend 📱#RiseAsOne ✊ pic.twitter.com/RvPHhK6w4T
— Vitality Netball Superleague (@NetballSL) April 25, 2021
The return of Liana Leota couldn’t prevent Severn Stars from slipping to a 45-37 to Strathclyde Sirens, who didn’t lose a single quarter.
iPro Player of the Match Emma Barrie was on song for Sirens as they secured a second consecutive win.
Leeds Rhinos moved to within four points of Saracens Mavericks in the league standings after an impressive 63-48 victory over the Hertfordshire club.
Rhinos won every quarter as Donnell Wallam continues to fire since returning from injury and she collected the Lucozade Sport Player of the Match.
Loughborough Lightning completed a double over rivals Wasps with a 52-42 victory in the final game on Sunday.
Mizuno Player of the Match Mary Cholhok was in sensational form under the post as Lightning quickly established a nine-goal lead in the opening quarter and that deficit proved to difficult for Wasps to recover.
Wasps responded on Monday night with an emphatic 53-27 win over Severn Stars as Mizuno Player of the Match Josie Huckle starred in the defensive end.
She helped restrict Stars to single figures in every quarter, including a remarkable effort in the second where Wasps gave up just three goals.
💬 "This game suits @josiehuckle, you can see that"
We certainly can, @JessThirlby! The @Wasps_Netball defender is making intercept after intercept 🐝
Watch @Wasps_Netball play @SevernStars live on @SkySports Arena, Mix, YouTube 📺 pic.twitter.com/CynkaxdIb5
— Vitality Netball Superleague (@NetballSL) April 26, 2021
The final match of Round 12 pitted Surrey Storm against London Pulse in a repeat of the Round 1 fixture that Storm edged by two goals, but it was Pulse who took it 43-41 on this occasion.
It was one of the tightest games of the season with the score level at halftime and Storm up by one heading into a final quarter that Pulse won by three to grab the victory as South African goaler and Player of the Match Sigi Burger made the difference.
Sky Sports pundit Tamsin Greenway: “I actually think Storm were the better side for long periods of that game in the way they attacked the game, the turnover they got, but Burger was there when they (Pulse) needed her.
“I think individual moments of brilliance for Pulse when they needed it mattered. (Funmi) Fadoju coming on made a big difference, you have to question why she didn’t start, she made a huge impact in terms of the vision Yas (Yasmin) Parsons had in that first half and I think it allowed Storm to settle at that point.”
Watch all of the weekend’s action back on Sky Sports’ YouTube channel!
Head to the Vitality Netball Superleague website for upcoming fixture details.
Follow England Netball on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube for the latest news and content.
