Coverage gets underway from 7.30pm
Friday 16 March 2018 19:32, UK
UWS Sirens host Severn Stars as the final round of Vitality Superleague action gets underway before the break for the Commonwealth Games.
Sirens are back in their Emirates Arena home as they chase a second win of the season - their second in competition after making their entrance last year.
Experienced England international Sara Bayman was among the Scottish franchise's new recruits and admits a fresh challenge after another season in Australia was too good to turn down.
"Sirens' offer was exciting to get to a new team and build something," Bayman told Sky Sports.
Another inconsistent start to the season has hindered Sirens progress but their clutch of international stars make them a dangerous team for opponents as they target a place in the top four.
"Last year we lacked consistency and that's what let us down - beating some of the top teams but also losing to some of the bottom teams.
"This year we are looking to level out and have a consistently good season - that's difficult as we have to adapt and learn quickly.
"We are willing to do that and we have been working hard and the attitude and environment are good."
Friday's opponents, the Stars were another of the new franchises to enter the league last season and have also seen quite a turnover of players.
But Laura Malcolm insists that has invigorated the squad: "We recruited well and have got some exciting players - Phumsa and Marika have come over from South Africa and eased into our squad, they've given the team a great energy and vibe which picks us up as well."
Both teams head into the final game before a break for the Commonwealths and Malcolm says the competition for selection and all eyes on a major medal has added a sharpness to their year so far.
"In any year there is a big competition the level of training goes up which is brilliant because you feel the pace of those guys in training as well," she adds.
"We are out to make some teams look twice at us and think 'They are here to compete'."
Also on Friday, the biggest clash of the round takes place as Manchester Thunder put their 100 per cent record on the line - they host the third-placed benecos Mavericks who have lost just one of their six games to date.
In the rest of the Round Seven action, Wasps look to make it eight wins from eight games when they take on the Celtic Dragons on Sunday.
Tamsin Greenway's team have played one game more than most of their rivals after a victory over Stars on Monday night - a game brought forward from Round 10.
The Dragons sit in sixth place having picked up two wins from their opening five games, but they will arrive at the Ricoh in form having won back-to-back against Surrey Storm and the Stars.
On Saturday Loughborough host Team Bath in a repeat of last year's semi-final while in Newcastle one team will pick up a first victory of the season when Surrey Storm take on Team Northumbria - it's 11 games without a win between them for the franchises that currently occupy the bottom two places.
You can follow the action on Sky Sports Mix on Friday, coverage gets underway from 7.30pm before the mid-season break for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.
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