SEVERN Stars were unable to come back from an early lead taken by a clinical top of the table Wasps Netball side in a 60-45 defeat in their last match of the Vitality Netball Superleague season.
Despite the defeat, Stars were able to preserve their sixth place for the end of the campaign which sees them qualify for the British Fast5 All-Stars Championships competition in October.
In the early stages of the first quarter Wasps’ attack worked well together taking a 5-1 advantage. Despite flying interceptions from Sam Cook, at goal keeper, and a double tip from goal defence Jodi-Ann Ward, Stars were unable to penetrate through in attack to convert.
Stars’ shooter Georgia Rowe scored from a fantastic long feed from wing defence Ella-Powell Davies in the last 10 seconds of the quarter to end it with the score 9-17.
Stars were patient and captain Maryka Holtzhausen, at goal attack, successfully took some spectacular long shots that helped the home side bring the score to back within five goals, at 17-22. But Wasps responded, making several changes in their defence, and the lead stretched back out by half time to 23-33.
The third quarter was a well fought battle, with good pressure by Stars’ defence forcing Wasps to play the ball around more. Holtzhausen continued the long range efforts successfully and the home side went on to win the quarter by four, taking the score to 39-45.
End to end netball saw out the game, but, despite pressure from Stars, Wasps showed why they were top of the table, with clinical shooting and a well drilled team across the court as they sealed victory.
Head coach Sam Bird said: “I’m proud of the squad’s last performance at home. Again we ran Wasps close in the second and third quarters, winning the third, but Wasps came out really strong in the first quarter and it was hard for us to make up the ground.
“It was a fantastic atmosphere in the arena and I would like to thank the fans for their amazing support. I would like to wish the club every success in the forthcoming Fast5 and Superleague season.”