Team Northumbria 61 Severn Stars 39

SEVERN Stars captain Laura Malcolm said the team had “failed to play the netball we know we can” as they slipped to a 61-39 defeat at Team Northumbria.

Hopes had been high for back-to-back wins after an impressive showing against Sirens last Monday.

But Team Northumbria, who had lost all their previous six matches in the Vitality Netball Superleague, led from the start and never surrendered the lead.

A devastating third quarter left Stars with a 16-goal deficit which proved ultimately too much to make up and the opposition were able to further increase their tally.

A slow start from Stars allowed Northumbria to settle into the game and take an early lead, playing in front of their home crowd at the Sport Central Arena, Newcastle.

Although goal defence Jodie Gibson and goal keeper Josie Janz-Dawson turned the ball over, Stars’ attack was not able to capitalise.

Northumbria’s shooters settled into the game, sinking long shots from early on, enabling the home team to take control and pull away, ending the quarter 16-10 in front.

The second quarter saw an unchanged Stars become stronger and connect as a team, finding their flow in attack with goal shooter Afeisha Noel nailing a great pass around the circle edge through three defenders then sinking the shot.

With a 15-all quarter score, at half-time Stars trailed only by six at 31-25.

The start of the third quarter saw numerous changes for Stars, including captain Malcolm moving from centre to wing defence and Sophie Carter coming on as centre and changes to the shooting pairing with Yasmin Hodge-England coming on as goal attack.

Midway through the quarter there were further changes.

Errors crept back into Stars’ game and Northumbria found momentum.

With 30 seconds to go in the quarter goal shooter Noel went down with a knee injury and had to come off.

By the end of the quarter Northumbria had extended their lead to 16 goals at 44-28, leaving Stars with a lot to do in the final 15 minutes.

The away side brought on Rebecca Tildesley, who replaced Noel as goal shooter in the fourth quarter, with Eleanor Cardwell at goal attack.

Further changes in the quarter for Stars saw Lauren Brooks come on at centre and Rachel Sweet at goal keeper.

The changes had a positive impact in the game allowing Stars to finish with some momentum, in particular Sweet who turned over the ball on numerous occasions to lift the team.

But despite these efforts Northumbria were able to increase their lead, ending the match with a 22-goal advantage.

Stars head coach Mo’onia Gerrard said: “We knew it was going to be a tough game heading to Newcastle.

“It was a very disappointing effort by the team and we have to be more accountable about our attitude and performance.

“Northumbria took the opportunities when they came and converted them into points.”

Stars captain Malcolm said: “It was a very disappointing performance where we failed to play the netball we know we can play. We are also still chasing consistency.

“A positive to take from the game is all 12 players hit the court and people came off the bench and had a positive impact.”

Stars will be hoping to bounce back with a win in their next game which sees them on the road again to face Hertfordshire Mavericks away on Saturday.

Tickets for Stars’ next home game against Loughborough Lightning on Saturday, April 15 (7.30pm), are available at severnstars.co.uk/fixturestickets.