Sky Live: Team Northumbria v benecos Mavericks

The weather has taken it's toll on the Vitality Superleague calendar but with the snow beginning to thaw, Team Northumbria will continue their search for a first win of the season against benecos Mavericks.

Three of the four matches scheduled for the weekend were called off with only Wasps' victory over Loughborough surviving the conditions that battered the UK.

The champions remain 100 per cent after a 60-49 win over Lightning, and Mavericks will get the chance to bounce back from their own defeat to Wasps last Monday when the action gets underway on Sky Sports Action and Mix from 6.45pm on Monday.

"It was a frustrating game, we know we are better than that performance," Kat Ratnapala told the Mavericks website.

"We are a new attacking unit and there was a lot of opportunities for us to win ball which we didn't take so there is plenty of room for improvement. It is a long season so looking forward to our next game to right some wrongs and continue to push for our goal of top four."

Wasps' form means that defeat is no major concern for a Mavericks team who have showcased some of the best attacking netball in the Superleague this season.

Ratnapala's team have put up at least 60 goals in each of their first three matches - all victories that have given them a fast start as they chase a return to the top four having missed out on the play-offs last year.

Kalifa McCollin and Karyn Bailey have been impressive in the shooting circle - only George Fisher and Peace Proscovia, who have each played five games, have scored more goals in this season's competition.

In contrast Team Northumbria are the lowest scorers at this early stage of proceedings having lost each of their opening four games.

The first three came against teams who all made last season's semi-finals and last time out they were edged out by UWS Sirens in a contest that had both teams chasing their first victory of the season and Northumbria are seeking a first three points of the season.

Sophie Hankin and Ashleigh Neal are in the Northumbria ranks and could face their old team, but the focus for coach TeAroha Keenan is on an improved showing.

"We are very disappointed, to say the least, about our performances, it's been a hugely frustrating season so far," she told Team Northumbria's website.

"Our players acquitted themselves well against a strong Manchester Thunder team away from home last month and put together a complete game of netball.

"But the confidence we gained from that display was missing in Glasgow three days later and the performance against Sirens left us stunned.

"It was totally out of character and several players turned in below par displays - we are better than that and we know we are."

Follow Monday's coverage on Sky Sports Action and Mix from 6.45pm with centre pass at 7pm.

Kepp up to date with the 2018 Superleague season with us on Sky Sports and through our website skysports.com/Netball with news, previews, reports and expert analysis throughout the season. And also our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkyNetball - #BelieveTheHype