Netball Super League | Wasps Netball looking for back-to-back titles in Lightning Grand Final clash

“It will be good to face Loughborough again, it will be a rematch of last year’s final and we know it will be a real battle.”

Wasps Netball star Rachel Dunn says her team’s defence will provide the foundations to defend their league title this weekend.

The reigning champions will face Midlands rivals Loughborough Lightning at The Copper Box Arena on Saturday, July 7 (5pm centre-pass) in the Vitality Netball Superleague Grand Final.

It will be a re-match of the 2017 Grand Final but unlike last season the black-and-golds come into the clash as the higher seeded team – as Wasps seek back-to-back championships.

Dunn, who starred in the semi-final win against Team Bath, will be playing in her 10th final and is targeting her fourth successive league title.

The veteran attacker, who has enjoyed an 89 per cent shooting percentage this season, believes her team are in the perfect position to defend their title.

“I love the week in the lead up to the Grand Final. It is always a special time and it has been great spending it with this fantastic group,” said Dunn.

“We’ve beaten every team so far this season so we know we can beat anyone. We have put ourselves in the best possible position to defend our title and we are determined to do just that.

“These are the games you play for. We put in all the hard work to finish top of the league and then win our semi-final but we know that anything can happen in the final – as we proved last year.

“We’ve got huge confidence throughout the team and we know our defence will show up when it matters.

“As an attacker, when you know your defensive end is so effective at getting the ball back it gives you great confidence to do your job in attack.”

Lightning came away winners when the teams met at the Ricoh Arena in May but Wasps took victory earlier in the season at Loughborough – leaving the season series level.

Wasps Netball director Tamsin Greenway led her team to 16 wins in the regular season to top the table and finish one place above Lightning.

Greenway – who will be looking to secure her fourth consecutive league title as a coach – is looking forward to the battle between the league’s top two.

“You want to be in this position and be given a chance to defend your title,” she said.

“We have a lot of experience in this squad who know what it takes to win finals, you just have to give it your all.