29th January 2007

The Pukka Pies Test Series The 2nd Test at the MEN Arena The South African Team

The Netball Superleague is now well underway, with the first shows proving to be a huge success with television viewers across the country. The Netball Superleague is aired on Thursday evenings on Sky Sports, with repeats later in the evening and the following day. Viewing figures have been extremely positive; the show has averaged 100,000 viewers per week, with numbers consistently rising. The final programme of 2006, which saw Northern Thunder beat close rivals Leeds Met Carnegie in a fast and furious match, had an impressive134,000 viewers.

The Superleague teams took a well-earned break throughout January, while the England team prepared for an International Test Series against old adversaries South Africa. The games were held at the NIA in Birmingham, The MEN Arena in Manchester, with the final being broadcast from Wembley Arena in London. Spirits were high right through the week, with England playing fantastically to maintain their 4 th place world ranking. South Africa’s relatively new team could not keep up with the experience and skill of England, headed for the first time by new captain Amanda Newton and vice-captain Karen Atkinson. The first game ended 67-30 – a fantastic result for the home nation, which left them confident for the next two games. England won all 3 tests, with Amanda Newton taking Player of the Series. Presenter Ingrid Hagemann was joined throughout the series by injured England player and ex-captain Tracey Neville, and later by ex-international Kendra Slawinski, who analysed the games and commented on the ones-to-watch. Each venue had a crowd of over 7,000, primarily England fans, who contributed to the electric atmosphere.

The Netball Superleague and Pukka Pies Test Series have so far been a great success, with viewing figures and feedback confirming this. The next show to be aired will see last year’s champions and current leaders Team Bath take on close rivals Brunel Hurricanes as the featured game, with highlights from the week’s matches. It looks set to be a tough battle between the top Superleague teams, a game not to be missed. The show will be aired on Sky Sports Extra, at 5.30pm on Thursday 15 th February.