Williams relishing Tuivaiti challenge
FRAN Williams is looking forward to the challenge of facing Cat Tuivaiti for the first time when Wasps Netball face Strathclyde Sirens.
The league-leaders host the eighth-placed Scottish side at Ricoh Arena tomorrow evening (7pm centre-pass).
It will mark the beginning of a three-game stint at home for Wasps, with all three matches taking place in the space of eight days.
And Williams, who has played at Goal Defence and Wing Defence so far this season, is relishing the challenge.
She said: “It will be a big test for us and give a good indication of where we are at. We will be working to ensure our performances keep improving game by game. It will be a good test of recovery and preparation during those eight days.
“We’ve had different combinations playing on court throughout the season and the strength of the squad will stand us in good stead again during this home stint.
“I think Sirens will be a really tough game for us. We didn’t play them in pre-season and they have Cat Tiuvati at the attacking end who poses a real threat.
“She is a quality, unpredictable player and we’re looking at how we can combat her strengths.”
Wasps are the only unbeaten team remaining in the Vitality Netball Superleague and are currently three points clear at the top of the table – with one game in hand.
The Black and Golds will play their game in hand against Manchester Thunder on Wednesday, March 6 at Ricoh Arena (7.30pm centre-pass), before another home game against Severn Stars on Sunday, March 10 (4pm centre-pass), with the Stars match marking the halfway point in the campaign.
Williams added: “We are still developing so much game on game.
“The results are of course important, but it’s more important that we keep improving our performances too.
“It will be great to finish the first half of the season unbeaten and if we can win these three home games we will do just that.
“We will know that we can beat every team on our day and that’s great for our confidence.”
Tickets for all three of the upcoming fixtures at Ricoh Arena are available at www.waspsnetball.co.uk