Severn Stars put up a good battle against Wasps in a thrilling West Midlands derby, but ultimately lost out to their regional rivals.

Severn Stars players were looking to build on a win in the opening weekend of the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) last weekend as they faced Wasps away at the Coventry Building Society Arena at the weekend (February 12).

But, despite a very close first half, Wasps were clinical and ultimately pulled away for a 54-45 victory.

Earlier on the team had been buoyed up by the return of Welsh international Bethan Dyke as she made her first appearance in the VNSL since sustaining an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury in April last year, starting at centre for Stars.

Shooter Katie Harris was quick to put Stars on the scoreboard against her old side Wasps, and it was Stars who quickly found their feet in the opening quarter, leading the home side 10-12 after the first 15 minutes.

The battle between the two sides continued into the second quarter and it goal-for-goal action, but it was Wasps who ended the quarter two goals up, leading 23-21 at half-time.

Young shooter Issy Eaton continued her shooting accuracy from last weekend’s season opener in the third quarter, but, despite this, Wasps opened up a nine-goal lead over Stars, leading 42-33 at the end of the third.

Stars started to close the gap in the final quarter, with defensive duo Lucy Herdman and Summer Artman making some crucial tips and intercepts, but Wasps held on to their nine-goal lead, taking the win 54-45 at the final whistle.

Stars Assistant coach, Chrissy Weaver, said: "We started very well, we had a much better first quarter, but unfortunately we were unable to maintain it for all four quarters. There were moments of brilliance in the attacking and defensive end, but we lost connections in the mid third."