Wasps to meet Thunder in Grand Final next Saturday at 5.15pm on Sky Sports Mix
Monday 13 May 2019 10:01, UK
Mel Mansfield described her Wasps Netball side as "special" after she closed in on winning her first Vitality Netball Superleague title in charge and their third in succession.
Wasps comprehensively defeated Loughborough Lightning 75-54 in Saturday's opening semi-final in what was a re-match of the Grand Final from the last two seasons.
Mansfield will lead the back-to-back champions in Saturday's season finale at the Copper Box Arena in London against Manchester Thunder, who overcame Team Bath 57-54.
Wasps finished the regular league season in top position after losing just three matches, but were forced to show resolve to fight back from a one-point deficit after the first quarter as they eventually won by a twenty-point margin.
This group are really special.
"This group are really special. I know everyone says that about their team but this team really play for me and for the other coaches," Mansfield told Sky Sports.
"That was nerves in that first quarter and the good thing about sitting on the bench is I can see what is going on and I knew why those mistakes were happening.
"I wasn't worried at that point but you just don't want to get down against Loughborough because they are a lethal outfit.
"After that we really put our foot down and that is what I am really pleased about."
Loughborough scored a last second goal in March to claim a 60-59 victory over Wasps and Mansfield says her team "learned some lessons that day."
Asked how much she wanted to lift the title next weekend, Mansfield said: "To be honest, I haven't dared dream about it.
"I have dreamed about winning this game (against Loughborough) for a couple of weeks and we always knew this would be the hurdle.
"I haven't even booked my family tickets. I haven't wanted to talk about training next week.
"I don't believe in doing these kind of things. Some of the players are in exactly the same position. We are going to enjoy this moment."
92 games, 19 rounds, 10 teams - It all comes down to this! Watch the Vitality Netball Superleague Grand Final live on Sky Sports Mix on Saturday, May 18 from 5.15pm. Also, Sky Sports will be showing every game of the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup in July.
