Great Britain star Helen Naylor is adamant Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters are focusing firmly on the WBBL Play-Offs as this year’s title race looks set to be potentially decided the weekend.

Hatters picked up a nice win against Manchester Mystics last time out, but know that their title bid will be extinguished if Nottingham Wildcats beat Team Northumbria tomorrow to retain the coveted silverware.

“I think the game against Mystics was always going to be a tough game, it was scrappy and rough at times, but we went out there expecting that and knowing that we needed to play tough for 40 minutes to beat a team like Manchester,” said Naylor.

“I can’t say it was our best game, as we were a bit up and down at times, but we stuck together and kept doing what was working for us by getting the ball inside to Brit [Winborne] who did a great job  of finishing in there.

“We talked in practice that week about needing to step up the way we are playing and to show more grit and passion, and I think we are getting better each week and getting back on form leading into play offs.

“Ultimately our goal right now is to get into the best position we can for the Play-Offs, since  like most teams, we are focused on getting to The 02.

“We know what we have to do and how we need to play to reach that goal, and we still have improvements to make to finish the season strong – but we are making the right steps.”

Hatters have another difficult test when they face Riders tomorrow, with jostling for Play-Off positioning more than intense than ever.

“Our next focus is this game against Leicester,” confirmed Naylor.

“We have played them once, but I’m expecting a very different game to last time as they have really improved throughout the season and I expect it will be a close one.

“We have had good preparations this week and will need to play smart, tough team defence to come out on top, limit their shooters and make life tough for their ‘bigs’.

“This season has been really interesting and the title race is still open at this point, but that will depend on other games and other teams wins and losses.

“We aren’t focusing on this, we’re just making sure we win our remaining two games and finish in the best position we can.

“For a few twists to happen and be back in the race for the title would be great and as we know, anything could happen this year – but we will have to wait and see,” she concluded.

It will all be over of course if Wildcats win and a there is a third game tomorrow in the shape of Barking Abbey Crusaders against Sevenoaks Suns.

There are also a trio of Sunday match-ups, with Barking completing a weekend double-header at Team Northumbria. Meanwhile the battle for eighth place could become clearer, with Caledonia Pride still hoping to clinch a Play-Off berth and they face Manchester, while Archers will be confident of getting a victory at basement dwellers Oaklands Wolves – although the hosts might just fancy their chances of finally getting a historic first league win.