Three top-four spots remain up for grabs as a thrilling Vitality Superleague season reaches its climax today.
As the Superleague enters its final round, five teams remain in with a chance of a place in the semi-finals, with only Wasps guaranteed a spot. Fittingly in a season full of twists and turns, four of the five matches have something riding on them.
Bath, Thunder and Lightning are all on 36 points and currently occupy second place to fourth place in the standings, so they have their destiny in their own hands as a win would be enough to secure a semi-final.
However, Mavericks - on 33 points and with a superior goal difference to Loughborough and Bath - lurk ominously and ready to take advantage. They will know that for another week they can afford no slip-up if they are to bounce on any from their rivals.
With all five matches taking place at the same time, the teams will not know until after their match has ended what shape the top-four will finally take.
Bath will be looking to replicate their stellar performance against Thunder when they take on bottom-of-the-table London Pulse.
Delivering another twist in our Netball Superleague tale, the Blue and Gold beat second-place Thunder on the road in what was a must-win match to keep their semi-final dreams on track.
Speaking about her side's performance, Team Bath head coach Jess Thirlby acknowledged the significance of the victory: "Saturday's result at Thunder was obviously incredibly pleasing and has kept our destiny in our own hands.
"But we are all aware that it will mean nothing if we don't back it up against Pulse."
Thirlby's warning recognises the way in which Pulse continue to push teams to the very edge without quite putting together four consistent quarters. When at their most consistent they are capable of real damage, having beaten Mavericks in Round 13.
The last time these two met Bath only just edged out Pulse 64-60, and in their first-ever season Pulse will be keen to pick up a third victory to finish their debut campaign on a high.
Dragons kept Storm at bay in what was their last home game of the season, as well as the added dynamic of being an emotional occasion for Dragons and Wales centre Kyra Jones who was competing in her final home fixture for the club ahead of retirement.
There is no doubt Dragons would have felt this victory was befitting of the Dragons legend and they will hope to carry their winning momentum forward against Lightning with sixth place still a possibility.
Lightning need a victory to get into the semi-finals and will look to quell any sort of upset the Welsh side may hope to cause. After overcoming a first-quarter deficit, Lightning rarely put a foot wrong last time out, and their minimal error count ultimately prevented Pulse from getting back into the game. A similar performance will keep them in the chase for a third successive Grand Final appearance.
This fixture is the only one this weekend with no top-four stakes attached as Wasps sit six points clear at the top and have already sealed a home semi-final, which will be played at the University of Warwick's new Sports and Wellness Hub.
The two-time Superleague champions showed the impressive depth of their squad against Sirens in Round 17 with Sam May, Chloe Essam and Tamsin Moala all featuring in the team that took the win in Glasgow.
Whilst Wasps had the luxury of exploring options, Stars endured a tough encounter against fifth-placed Mavericks, a team desperate to keep up with other top-four contenders.
Despite starting strongly, Stars were unable to adjust to the increasing Mavs pressure and ultimately came up short.
The last time these two sides met Wasps won 54-47 which should give Stars some sense of belief going into their last game of the season.
A bruised Thunder will be hoping to right the wrongs of defeat last time out when they face Storm knowing a win will secure a home semi-final.
Outclassed by Bath, who offered more composure and resilience, Thunder struggled with held ball and the way in which Bath isolated certain players to disrupt Thunder's attacking play.
Defeat for Thunder may not be disastrous as their goal difference is likely to be enough to secure their place even if they slip up against a Storm side who continued their losing streak against Dragons.
Since a stunning victory against Lightning back in Round 13, Storm have been unable to replicate that performance and with Thunder looking particularly threatening off the back of their loss against Bath, they will have to dig deep if they are to spring a surprise.
Mavericks have no other option than to beat Sirens this weekend if they want to force their way into the post-season scramble for the title.
Whilst Sirens put in a brave performance against league leaders Wasps, they were unable to stop the rolling champions taking the win in Glasgow.
The Scottish side will take solace in the first-half performance which saw them stay in contention with a side who have title-winning ambitions.
However, inconsistencies throughout the regular season mean their top-four ambitions will be decided outside of this fixture; all they can do now is win and hope for the best elsewhere.
