Wasps Netball and Manchester Thunder are set for a midweek showdown as they play their rescheduled Round Two fixture at the Ricoh Arena on Wednesday night.
Mel Mansfield’s team go into the match with an unblemished copybook and are off the back of dominating Strathclyde Sirens 61-34 in the last round.
After four straight wins at the start of term, Thunder have lost two of their last three matches, including their Round Eight meeting with Team Bath by 60-56.
Wasps are three points clear at the top of the table after Saracens Mavericks’ win over Severn Stars on Monday, while Thunder are hot on Mavs’ heels in third.
Season so far………
So far this season some have kept pace with Mansfield’s Wasps for 30 minutes, but their ability to put the squeeze on in the third quarter has been a real trump card.
The quality of players that Wasps have on their bench means that they can change the course of a match at will – something that Thunder will be well aware of.
Final Score: Wasps 61 – 34 Sirens#WeAreWasps #COYW ? pic.twitter.com/srDDcEMnQo
Against Strathclyde Sirens on Saturday, Sophia Candappa, Tamsin Moala and Fran Williams all arrived at the interval and their introduction did not cause Wasps to break stride.
- Latest Vitality Superleague table
- Results & Fixtures
Karen Greig’s outfit is one that’s packed with experience and quality and added to that is the drive that comes from an “upsetting loss” to Team Bath last time out.
The side are focused on producing an all-court defensive display as the director of netball told Sky Sports and ready to renew the intense rivalry between the two sides.
One potential head-to-head that’s worth the gate fee on its own is a possible clash at centre between Caroline O’Hanlon and Jade Clarke. The engines and skill-levels of the duo are first class and the tussle could be titanic, unless of course Clarke starts at WD to combat the dynamic Liana Leota. That would be equally enthralling!
Vitality Superleague – Round Nine fixtures
After this rescheduled match there’s just time to pause for a quick breath before Round Nine arrives in earnest. Sky Sports will be at the Copper Box Arena where London Pulse face the challenging task of hosting Team Bath on Monday, March 11, live on Sky Sports Mix and Action from 7.15pm.
In their own words…
Mel Mansfield, Wasps head coach
“The pressure is off us in this game and that’s the message I’m giving to the players too. We want to go out there, play our game and see what we can do. We know that this is going to be one of our toughest games of the season so far.
“We’ve already beaten three teams who could potentially end up being in the top four and have shown we are capable of coming out on top in these close games.
“Thunder are very controlled and clinical in attack, and are a well-drilled outfit. They have great structure and have talented players at every position. We’re still taking it game-by-game and every game is a test – this will be no different but we want to go out and play with no pressure.”
Karen Greig, Manchester Thunder director of netball
“For us, it will definitely be a case of making sure that we remain focused for that 60 minutes. They’ve got a really strong team from back to front and it’s going to be a difficult job all over the court.
“Against teams that have got prolific shooters we’ve got to look to turn ball earlier and make sure that when we do get the opportunity to turn ball over that we reward ourselves at the other end of the court.
“So, it’s going to be a similar story against Wasps. Obviously they’ve got Rachel Dunn, who is in great form up front, and it’s going to be key for us to stifle the feeds and service to her – look to turn ball over earlier and start the pressure from as high up the court as we possibly can.”
Vitality Netball Superleague is back on your Sky Sports screen on Monday, March 11 when London Pulse host Team Bath in Round Nine – join us on Sky Sports Mix & Action from the later time of 7.15pm.
Source: Read Full Article