Champions must weather Storm in opener
WASPS Netball will face Surrey Storm in the first game of their Vitality Netball Superleague title defence in 2018.
The full fixture schedule for the 2018 season has been announced, with Tamsin Greenway’s champions starting with a home opener against two-time winners Storm in the Ericsson Indoor Arena at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday, February 10 at 7pm. The team’s first away game will see them make the short trip to Worcester to take on Midlands rivals Severn Stars on February 17.
Wasps Netball will have to wait until their fifth fixture for a re-match of the 2017 Grand Final, when they travel to face Loughborough Lightning on March 3.
The season will also feature five Ricoh Arena home games in a row, starting with Team Northumbria on March 10 and closing with the visit of Manchester Thunder on April 27.
Tamsin Greenway, Wasps Director of Netball, said: “It will be a really good test for our team to start at home against a strong side like Surrey Storm. This season is going to be hugely competitive, every team has strengthened during the off-season and we know we will have to step up our game to another level to challenge again this season.
“Of course, you look to the games against the likes of Surrey Storm, Loughborough Lightning and Team Bath to give you some idea of where you are at, but I’m expecting teams like Sirens and Severn Stars to push on in their second season too.”
The priority window to register for Wasps Netball season memberships is now open – with money can’t buy prizes available for fans who register for memberships.
For all of the latest Wasps Netball news visit www.waspsnetball.co.uk. TOP karate youngster Carys Jones made it a clean sweep of major titles in Britain this year when she triumphed in her 14-15 years age category at the British International Karate Championships in Edinburgh at the weekend.
Carys, from Etone College in Nuneaton, saw off her first two opponents by scores of 10-0 and 9-0, then 5-0 in the semifinal. In the final against the Scottish favourite, Carys drew 2-2 on points but due to the Senshu rule she was the first fighter to score a point therefore was declared the winner.
This means that the Simon Coope Karate School member has won every major title available in Britain this year. Even though for the British International she moved from the 12-13 years section to the 14-15 years section, she won the Kyu Grade Championship in February, the English National Championship in April, the British Championship in June and now the British International Championships.
Fellow club member Will Tatham enjoyed a 3-1 victory in his first fight of the competition, then lost his second fight in a scrappy affair. He bounced back in repechage with a 6-0 success before losing to a Scottish opponent for bronze in a close battle.