2021 VNSL: Team of the Week – Round 3

ROUND 3 of the Vitality Netball Superleague saw plenty of close contests and impressive performances from individuals making the task for Draft Central to create a Team of the Week tricky. Team Bath had the most with three players, while big wins to Loughborough Lightning and Manchester Thunder had a couple of players make the team and Surrey Storm was well represented too.

GS: Mary Cholhok (Loughborough Lightning)
GA: Bethan Goodwin (Strathclyde Sirens)
WA: Yasmin Parsons (Surrey Storm)
C: Nat Panagarry (Loughborough Lightning)
WD: Rebekah Airey (Manchester Thunder)
GD: Leah Middleton (Surrey Storm)
GK: Eboni Usoro Brown (Team Bath)

BENCH: Sophie Drakeford-Lewis (Team Bath), Laura Malcolm (Manchester Thunder), Layla Guscoth (Team Bath)

Mary Cholhok was once again a star under the post leading her side to a strong win thanks to her composure under the post. With impressive accuracy and timing Cholhok managed 40 goals only missing two attempts at 95 per cent while also collecting five rebounds highlighting her positioning inside the circle. Sirens goal attack Bethan Goodwin showcased plenty of class in her outing using her timing to enter the circle with great ease and covering the court to put up a number of goals. Her continued efforts did not go unnoticed working hard in attack to keep the scoreboard ticking over thanks to her 21 goals.

Getting the nod in wing attack is Surrey Storm playmaker Yasmin Parsons. A consistent figure in attack and through the midcourt Malcolm showcased her ability to switch between wing attack and centre in her two outings however the most prominent feature was her ability to feed the ball with great ease. Loughborough Lightning captain, Nat Panagarry impressed in her sole outing for Round 3 with the centre showcasing her evasiveness and playmaking tendencies to lead the way for her side. Panagarry lit up the court with her drives and constant work-rate to re-offer both in defence and attack making her an easy choice for this round. Joining Panagarry through the midcourt is Rebekah Airey with the wing defence putting in the hard yards to nullify the influence of her opponent while also winning her fair share of ball back. Airey amassed two intercepts and a deflection with her defensive traits shining through to position well for the Thunder.

Down in defence, Leah Middleton kicked it up a gear for the Storm with her ball winning ways impressing. She showcased her defensive prowess to cherry pick passes and stop any easy movement in attack as she put up a constant wall in defence. The goal keeper position fell to Team Bath’s Eboni Usoro-Brown with the talented defender using her physicality and smothering defence to win ball back. Not fussed by her opposition, Usoro-Brown worked in overdrive to repel ball and employ strong hands over pressure both on the shot and in general play collecting an intercept and two deflections.

Unlucky not to get the start after earning player of the match honours, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis was a key contributor for Team Bath in the win. Using her speed, darting foot work and accuracy to post the goal attack made her presence felt. Manchester Thunder livewire Laura Malcolm impressed enough to secure a position on the bench despite being on the bench for a half while Layla Guscoth was exactly the spark Bath needed to kick them into gear. Her overall court coverage, long reaching arms and presence enabled her to have an influence in the defensive structure for Team Bath as they secured another win.

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