Vitality Superleague Round 15 preview
Sunday 3 June 2018 16:56, UK
It's a huge weekend in the Vitality Superleague as four of the top five meet with the race for the end-of-season semi-finals on.
With four weeks of the regular season to go, it is all to play for at the top of the table, as nine points separate the top five with only the top four advancing to semi-finals at the end of the regular season.
Defending champions Wasps lead the way but lost for the first time this season last weekend to second-placed Loughborough, but both teams look well placed for the final four.
Bath's defeat to Sirens last weekend means they sit three points adrift of fourth place but this weekend gives them a chance to close the gap once again as they travel to Mavericks, who are just one place and three points above them.
Bath kick off the action knowing with their run of fixtures their destiny is in their own hands - they face an in-form Mavericks team that have won four of their five before games against Sirens, Lightning, Wasps and Thunder.
"We have four critical home games coming up and there is still everything to play for as all of the top five have to play each other over the next month," said head coach Anna Stembridge.
"As well as Mavericks, Lightning and Wasps, we also have to go to Manchester Thunder on the last day of the regular season. Facing all of our top-five rivals in the space of three weeks, plus our rearranged fixture against Sirens, is undoubtedly a tough run but ultimately you want to be challenged as players and as a squad.
The Sky Live action is on Saturday afternoon and it is a cracker as the Manchester Arena plays host to Thunder's meeting with Wasps.
Thunder know a victory will see them close to within three points of Wasps but Tamsin Greenway's team are determined to bounce back after their 12-match winning start to the season came to a halt last weekend.
It promises to be a thrilling occasion and perhaps a dress rehearsal for either a possible semi-final of Grand Final showdown.
The other member of the top five is second-placed Loughborough, who made it seven wins from seven games since the break for the Commonwealth Games with their win over Wasps.
They face a resurgent Severn Stars team who have hit form and know one more win will see them better their tally of five wins last season.
Elsewhere, UWS Sirens aim for a third win in succession after back to back victories over Bank Holiday weekend, they are on the road and face Surrey Storm while the bottom two clash in Newcastle.
Team Northumbria host Celtic Dragons and while the race for the semi-finals may be a long way beyond them, there will be plenty of pride at stake for both as they aim to avoid finishing bottom of the pile.
It looks likely that one of Thunder, Mavericks and Bath will end up missing out - this weekend will go a long way to shaping up who puts themselves in prime position for the final few weeks.
Our live coverage continues on Saturday when Manchester Thunder host Wasps on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Arena from 2pm.
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