Severn Stars 53 Celtic Dragons 46

SEVERN Stars held off Celtic Dragons to claim a first competitive victory on their home debut.

Stars were pushed all the way by a spirited Dragons side who fought back from an early double-digit deficit to pull the game back to within one point in the final quarter.

But the hosts rallied and claimed a vital 53-46 win in their first competitive home game at the University of Worcester Arena, getting their first points on the board in the Vitality Netball Superleague.

Stars stormed ahead to take an early four-point lead after just 90 seconds through clinical finishing from attacking pair goal shooter Afeisha Noel and goal attack Eleanor Cardwell.

The home side continued to dominate the opening quarter and swift attacking play, orchestrated by captain Laura Malcolm, helped Stars build an eight-point lead with five minutes remaining of the first quarter.

Dragons struggled to break down a stubborn Stars defence but managed to claw two points back in the closing seconds of the first quarter to cut the lead to 16-10.

The visitors continued to try to find a foothold in the game and a crucial interception by their wing attack Bethan Dyke paved the way for Kalifa McCollin to net midway through the second quarter.

That was the catalyst for a fightback from Dragons who continued to chip away at the deficit and back-to-back interceptions allowed them to half the gap to just five points.

Stars rallied towards the end of the quarter but had to settle for a 27-23 lead at the half-time interval despite their earlier dominance.

Dragons’ second-half introduction of the experienced Kyra Jones enabled the Cardiff-based side to work the ball quickly around the attacking third, leading them to cut the deficit at the end of the third quarter to 40-37.

Stars needed to battle in the final quarter to preserve their slender lead and patient build-up play enabled the hosts to find a way through Dragons’ organised defence with goal attack Cardwell netting before adding a second moments later.

Dragons hit back to come within just one point of Stars’ lead and set up a frantic final six minutes.

But calm finishing from impressive goal shooter Noel allowed Stars to stem the flow, allowing the hosts to finish with a 53-46 victory, thrilling an enthusiastic home crowd.

Head coach Mo’onia Gerrard said: “This was good. It was a good opportunity for the girls to get out there and actually taste the win and now we just have to build on that for next week because it’s going to be another big game for us.

“It was definitely an improvement on the last couple of weeks.

“But all in all there are a few things we need to address and fix. We like to put ourselves under pressure. The first two games were exactly the same.

“We’re heading in the right direction and we’re just building but I want more progression.”

Tickets for Stars’ next game at home to Team Bath next Saturday (7.30pm) are available at severnstars.co.uk.