WASPS Netball’s Hannah Knights believes their unbeaten start to the season has been in part to the squad’s strength-in-depth, as the club gear up to take on Celtic Dragons in Cardiff on Monday (18th February, 7pm centre-pass).
Half-time substitutions have played a vital role in their opening four games to the 2019 season – best emphasised by Sophia Candappa’s player of the match display in the second-half against Saracens Mavericks.
Goal keeper/goal defender Knights says that such changes made during games will be the difference maker in their hunt for a third successive Vitality Superleague title.
“We’re in a fantastic position to have such brilliant depth in our squad,” she said.
“It allows us to put different combinations out on court and give our opposition something new to think about.
“We’re still building our connections on the court, whether that be in the attacking third, defensively or coming through the court as a whole team.
“But to have to work so hard against someone like Bongi Msomi for 30 minutes and then have someone completely different to deal with, like Sophia for the second-half, is brilliant.
“I don’t think there’s another team in the league that has those kind of changes at their disposal.”
Wasps face the fifth placed Dragons on Monday night, but the Black and Golds will be wary of their threat after their impressive wins against London Pulse and Strathclyde Sirens.
Knights believes maintaining momentum is the club’s main goal and will carry them far throughout the season.
“The win against Mavericks revealed a lot about the character of our group. We can take a lot from the game in terms of what we can learn and improve.
“To go in at half-time level is a tough place to be but to come out with the character we showed in the third-quarter was fantastic.
“We want to keep up the momentum but we aren’t underestimating the challenge that facing Dragons will provide.
“They have started the season well with some very impressive performances. They are very accurate in the shooting circle and it will be important that we take advantage of any turnovers we force.
“To go and beat Sirens in Scotland is no easy thing to do, so we know how much of a test they will be to play against at home in Cardiff.”
Wasps will next be in action at the Ricoh Arena against Strathclyde Sirens on Saturday 2 March (7pm centre-pass), with tickets being available to purchase at www.waspsnetball.co.uk
