SEVERN Stars finished their 2021 Vitality Netball SuperLeague season on a high after a closely fought 45-39 win over Celtic Dragons on Sunday.

The victory means they end the testing campaign in ninth position, ahead of Surrey Storm and the Dragons, with four wins in 20 league matches.

After what has been a strange season for all, Stars were determined to conclude their campaign with a positive result.

The first two quarters were tight, with little to separate the two teams in the match at the Copper Box Arena but Stars took the lead after half-time and despite Dragons’ attempts to get back in the match, Stars never surrendered their advantage.

The first quarter saw both teams back and forth scoring goals but it was the Dragons who took an early lead, being 8-4 up halfway through the quarter.

A change in Stars’ defensive circle saw Dee Bolakoro soon make an impact, teaming up with Iman Thomas to make tips and intercepts that would soon turn around the scoreboard, with Stars finishing ahead 10-9.

Quarter two proved even more tense than the first. When Kyra Jones turned over the ball from Rebekah Robinson, Stars saw this opportunity to run, and not stop running. The speed of both teams was impressive, however it was Stars who improved on their mistakes and took the opportunities they were given to score.

Long bombs from Stars shooter Paige Reed and no-look passes from mid-courter Lucy Harris boosted the team but their opposition were not giving up and the teams went into half-time all square, at 19-19.

The third quarter was full of fumbles, falls and fantastic shots from both teams. Stars settled more around the circle edge, allowing time to work the ball to the shooters and into the net. With the reach of Dragons’ Clinton, Stars’ defence tried their hardest to take tips and intercepts, but not all were successful. However, the speed at which Stars took the ball down the court was what made a difference at the end of this quarter, leaving them five goals ahead, 30-25.

With the final quarter being the last for both teams this season, both teams came out fighting.

Strength on the ball from Kyra Jones allowed Stars to battle through the Dragons’ defence.

With Rowe taking a knock, it became the perfect opportunity for Player of the Match, Paige Reed, to sink yet another one from afar. Despite Dragons’ best efforts, Stars took the victory 45-39 to end the 2021 season on a high.

Stars Head Coach, Melissa Bessell, said: “I’m really looking forward to going home to New Zealand and seeing my family and having a break. It’s been such a strange season for everybody. I have to say thank you to England Netball, thank you to Sky for the coverage you have given us and to the umpires, which I never do!”