Saturday 18 April 2015 11:11, UK
Sky Sports Netball's Anna Woolhouse reflects on a thrilling Superleague season and expects more drama in the finals...
That's 14 rounds of the Netball Superleague done and dusted - this season really has gone by in a flash. It seems only yesterday we were arriving in Manchester for our very first live game of the season, but what a season it’s been.
In round one, reigning champions Manchester Thunder picked up where they left off last season. The champions are yet to suffer a defeat this campaign as they target a second successive title. Going on recent form, they are on course to achieve this feat.
The new campaign brought in a new rule of playing to a result, and although it hasn't yet been put to the test, we have certainly witnessed some absolute thrillers.
There was a dramatic finish when Celtic Dragons took on Loughborough Lightning in round nine. With just six seconds left on the clock, Chelsea Lewis snatched victory for Celtic with that incredible long shot. They were, up until then, without a single win and boy did they achieve that victory in sensational fashion.
In round 11, the Thunder were pushed all the way by the impressive Yorkshire Jets, eventually sealing a narrow 54-51 win. I was following the action on our official Sky Sports Netball Twitter account - something I'm sure you are all familiar with - and was literally shouting at my phone!
Finally Netball London Live, not only an event that smashed records for attendance in a domestic netball match, but the whole event was a real celebration of how much netball as a sport is growing.
What I love about presenting the netball on Sky Sports is the combination of the incredible live action that we see every week, and the awesome ladies I work with on a weekly basis. I genuinely feel proud that we are an all-female line-up on the show, from the producers to pundits and commentators. Something that is fairly unique in our industry, but also very empowering!
It really is like a road trip each week to the various venues, many of which are universities with incredible facilities such as Bath University. Often I find myself reminiscing to my Uni days. Because most of our production team are based in London, we often stay in hotels after games, which means we all get to have a debrief in the hotel afterwards and of course unwind!
Working on OB's (outside broadcasts) is also refreshing as it is totally different to working in a studio. Each venue has its challenges, although noise is often the most common thing to contend with.
Normally we arrive at the venue several hours before we go on air, as often there are voice overs which we record in the production trucks outside, or interviews to be done before we go live.
I'm not going to lie, getting there in plenty of time is also when we all catch up on whats been happening with each other over our various packed lunches! (the glamour!). Tracey Neville now knows better than to sit near me when I'm eating my salad. Sorry again Tracey about that flying tomato! (It even got through that bib!)
About two hours before we go to air is when we have our hair and make-up done, which is certainly one of the perks of the job! Throughout the season Carol and Sarah have shared the workload and worked their magic between them on us.
As a rule we go for quite a natural look on this show, which I love, and have tried a few different looks throughout the season. I love all the different outfits we all wear each week, although there have been a couple of last-minute changes when we are wearing the same top. Myself and Camilla Buchanan seem to have this knack of turning up in similar outfits, though I'm not complaining as Camilla has some serious style!
About half an hour before we go on air, we try to rehearse the top of the show which means being in our positions for 7pm. This is normally not a problem, until Hull in round 13. At 7pm I found myself locked in a toilet unable to get out. Nightmare!
I had visions of not making it out in time and watching my career go down the toilet, no excuse for the pun! I think it was only about 10 minutes until someone eventually came in and answered my yelps of help, but those 10 minutes when you are on air in 20 minutes felt like an eternity! Anyhow, at least my misfortune provided amusement to my guests and the production team anyway, even if my nerves were in tatters. Thanks ladies.
Then there is what's become the obligatory selfie of myself and my guests each week. Who doesn't love a selfie?
One thing I hear all the time from people who watch a game for the first time is how blown away they are by the high level of fitness of the girls. It's something that has definitely inspired me to train even harder for sure!
SEMI-FINALS
I'm writing this blog with just two days to go until the semi-finals on Saturday - excited is an understatement. Both games look set to be close encounters. The Jets are in unknown territory after making the play-offs, but I doubt that will go against them.
I'm predicting a re-run of last year's grand final. I think it will be Storm v Thunder meeting at the Copper Box a week on Saturday. Who will win that? Well that's anyone's guess.
Don't miss the Netball Superleague semi-finals live on Sky Sports 4 from 4pm on Saturday April 18.
