SEVERN Stars recorded the biggest win in their short history with an emphatic 63-33 victory over Team Northumbria in the Vitality Netball Superleague.
Stars blew their opponents away in a dominant third-quarter performance. The visitors were restricted to just four goals while the Stars pulled 20 ahead on their way to victory at the University of Worcester Arena.
The victory, the fourth in a row at home for Stars, guarantees them a place at this year’s Fast5 All-Stars tournament, which will be held in October in London, and moves the team a step closer to securing sixth spot in the standings.
“There was some beautiful play from our players and I’m really pleased with that performance,” said head coach Sam Bird.
“Not even the top teams in the league are necessarily winning by these big margins so it’s great for the club and just shows where we want to be.”
In a cagey start to the opening quarter, both sides fail to find a foothold in the game.
Stars eventually began to find their rhythm towards the end of the opening 15 minutes with goal shooter Eleanor Cardwell finding her range to help move them 13-7 ahead by the end of the quarter.
They maintained their lead for much of the second quarter against a combative Northumbria side who did their best to disrupt the home side’s rhythm. But Stars ended the quarter strongly again with Cardwell and goal attack Maryka Holtzhausen, the player of the match, combining well to help increase the half-time lead to 29-20.
The Worcester side then blew away Northumbria in a stunning third-quarter performance as they extended their advantage to 20 goals with just three minutes of the period remaining.
Phumza Maweni was relentless in her defensive efforts as Stars limited their opponents to just four goals in the quarter.
Cardwell and Holtzhausen continued to cause havoc in the attacking third as Stars took a huge 50-24 lead. They rang the changes in the final quarter with youngster Shona O’Dwyer making her debut at centre.
The youngster impressed too with her incisive pass midway through the final quarter finding Cardwell who netted, helping Stars on their way to the 63-33 final scoreline.
“Shona works tirelessly in training every week and I was so pleased to get her on. She fed the circle really well and blended in really well,” Bird added.
Stars welcome the Celtic Dragons to the University of Worcester Arena on Monday (tip off 7.30pm).
Visit www.severnstars.co.uk for more information.