Vitality Netball Superleague week five preview

After a frustrating week of snow delays, we return to normality as the Vitality Netball Superleague is back for Round 5.

Last week saw Wasps, Manchester Thunder and Saracens Mavericks all cement their places at the top of the leader board while the mid to lower table looks just as close on points.

Round 5 is set to bring disappointment for Wasps or Mavs as they face their first head to head, and fight for the top spot, at Rioch Arena on February 11, live on Sky Sports Arena from 6.45pm.

Strathclyde Sirens vs Celtic Dragons, Friday 7:30pm

Last week both teams suffered a loss and with one-point between them, this match is set to be a Celtic clash.

Half-time proved crucial for both squads but were unable to keep up in the third quarter and make an impact, resulting in Sirens losing to Lightning and Dragons to Mavs.

Dragons head coach Tania Hoffman said: "We were only five down going into the second half but lost five goals quickly in the third quarter. We have to put it all together. You don't win games in the first half and we are disappointed with the end result."

A home game for Sirens brings pressure but captain Claire Brownie insists preparation is key, "we want to come out with a win, but before all that we need to take care of our processes and put in a performance we are really proud of."

Severn Stars vs Manchester Thunder, Saturday 6pm

Thunder continued their winning streak in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Monday night. After a pressing third quarter from London Pulse they were able to respond and take their fifth win, keeping at the top of the leader board.

The Black and Yellows proved impossible to beat and Caroline O'Hanlon received her second consecutive Player of the Match for her stand-out performance in the centre court.

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Tamsin Greenway's Pointers - "I was intrigued how Thunder played through it. They were tenacious. Defensively, they were exceptional. They ground Pulse down and forced them to make errors".

Tracey Neville joined the Sky Sports coverage on Monday and didn't shy away from using the opportunity as an international talent preview. Thunder regular and fan Paul Scholes was also in attendance and gave his appreciation of netball saying, "I think that people probably have the wrong idea about netball, that it's a bit of a 'girly' sport but it's not. It's so physical."

Stars will be returning to the Superleague after snow postponed their match against Team Bath last week.

Loughborough Lightning vs Team Bath, Saturday 6pm

Lightning continued their winning momentum as they capitalised on their half-time break and managed a 60-49 win over Sirens.

Lightning used the match as a fundraiser for their assistant coach Victoria Burgess' charity who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2016. She has since had the all clear and said, "Netball has been a huge part of my life and I believe that my experiences in netball gave me the strength and positive attitude to get through fighting cancer".

Team Bath enjoyed a well needed week off due to adverse weather and permitting the squad time to regroup after a shock loss to Storm.

Tamsin's Pointers - "Team Bath had the snow gods on their side, but won't admit to that! I thought 'they've got off lightly'. I'm not sure if Eboni Usoro-Brown would have played for Bath. Without her it would have been a very tough game for Bath…Stars would have been kicking themselves, but it gives Bath extra preparation time."

London Pulse v Surrey Storm, Saturday 7pm

Despite the half-time break proving instrumental to the game, London's home team was overcome by Thunder's experience and lost 62-47.

It was a similar story for Storm - Wasps used the half-time break to re-establish control after a close 30 minutes allowing reigning Superleague champions to dominate the second half.

Tamsin's Pointers - "Teams aren't putting opponents to bed in the first quarter anymore. Coaches and players are really having to earn their money at half-time to make a real difference in the third quarter".

With the Tom Reseigh Trophy in sight and despite a strong start, Storm were unable to use their momentous win against Bath and let Wasps' play their historically dominating game.

Storm's Shadine Van Der Merwere was awarded Player of the Match and said after the game: "It's good to be back and wearing the duck-egg blue dress. Thank you to the fans and we'll be back stronger."

Wasps Netball v Saracens Mavericks, Monday 7pm - Live on Sky Sports Mix, Arena and Main Event

This week Sky Sports cameras follow the biggest game of the season so far by joining Wasps and Mavs at the Ricoh Arena.

Wasps maintained their winning streak securing a massive 70-47 win against Storm while Mavs also saw a victory over Dragons.

Wasps head coach Mel Mansfield was pleased with her team's performance and said, "I asked the girls to play as a team tonight and they did exactly that and we came out fantastically in the third-quarter".

Mavericks were strong with Kadeen Corbin scoring 21 out of 22 shots whilst George Fisher was named Player of the Match by holding her own in the circle and demanding space.

Fisher makes a return to Wasps this week and told Sky Sports "It will be weird being back at The Rioch Arena, my home for the past two years…but I'm sure the fans will be as lovely as they've always been".

Mavs Director of Netball, Kathryn Ratnapala said after the game, "All in all really pleased with the performance, a lot of building to do and a lot of work to do before Wasps".

This week the rugby rivalry spreads to the netball court as Wasps face Mavericks in what Tamsin Greenway believes will be the teams "first test of the season".

A 100 per cent winning streak from both teams means the match will be a great insight into how the leader board could look at the end of season and one definite upset in sight.

Watch more Vitality Netball Superleague action as Wasps Netball host Saracens Mavericks on Monday February, 11 live on Sky Sports Mix from 6.45pm. Also, Sky Sports will be showing every game of the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup in July.