The Co-operative Netball Superleague season is not quite over but the play off spots were decided a few weeks ago. Not surprisingly, three of the top four places have been filled by reigning champions TeamBath, last year’s beaten finalists Hertfordshire Mavericks and the star-laden Surrey Storm. The fourth spot was taken by Northern Thunder with local rivals Leeds Carnegie a long way behind.

The winter weather disrupted the fixtures at the start of the year and thanks to an Icelandic volcano with an unpronounceable name some of the fixtures at the tail end of the season have been affected too. But, how has each team fared so far?

Surrey Storm

Living up to their new name, the Superleague’s newest franchise has had a storming season only losing twice in 16 games. They suffered defeat at the hands of TeamBath and Northern Thunder but only since dynamic defensive due Geva Mentor and Sonia Mkoloma departed for their spell in the ANZ Championship. They top the league with 28 points.

TeamBath

It would have been a major shock if TeamBath hadn’t made it to the final four with Pamela Cookey still an inspiration to her team mates. Their confidence will have been boosted further by their recent defeat of table-topping Surrey Storm. If, as expected, TeamBath win their last match against Glasgow Wildcats, they will also have 28 points but Storm’s superior goal difference will ensure they win the league.

Hertfordshire Mavericks

Mavericks suffered some early defeats but have shown great resilience to keep themselves in contention throughout the season. Having to field an under strength team, they endured a heavy loss in their last league game against Northern Thunder which left Mavericks firmly in fourth place. They lost five games and finished with 22 points. They now have to travel north to face Thunder again in the play offs.

Northern Thunder

Thunder have gone from strength to strength this season and shooter Karen Greig was spot on at the start of their campaign when she said the future looked bright for her side. They lost three games and bagged 26 points. They now have the added boost of a home advantage in their play off against Mavericks.

So how do the play offs work? Like the ANZ Championship there are three play off matches, effectively three semi-finals which sounds odd when you think about it.

Play off 1 is between the top two teams, Surrey Storm and TeamBath. Storm will host this game as they’ve finished top of the league. The winner of this match goes straight into the Grand Final at Nottingham Trent Arena on Saturday, 15th May.

Play off 2 is between the 3rd & 4th placed teams with home advantage going to the team in 3rd place. Winning this game brings you a step closer to the final but you still have to overcome the loser of play off 1. This is play off 3 and the winner makes it through to the grand final.

Have you been following the Superleague and who do you fancy to take the title this year?