SEVERN Stars’ head coach Jo Trip says she is "in no way surprised" at her team's winning start to the Netball Super League season ahead of their top-of-the-table showdown with Manchester Thunder in front of a sell-out home crowd on Friday night.

Jo Trip was full of praise for her side after another thrilling win at the weekend against Team Bath that catapulted them to the top of the league with what was their third win from three.

She said that the team, six of whom joined Stars in the summer, was deservedly on a high having enjoyed the best start to a season since they joined the league in 2017.

"I am in no way surprised to see how the team is performing in all combinations, out on court," she said.

"Every player is consistently pushing themselves and working harder than the week before which is showing in each individual players’ growth, the unit growth and our team growth. It is still early in the season, but I know we have a lot more to come and a lot more to cement this season as a group."

But Friday will no doubt be Stars' biggest test yet. Manchester Thunder have also won all three of their games in the 2024 season, behind the Worcester-based franchise only on goal difference.

And the magnitude of the contest will be matched with a sell-out crowd at the University of Worcester Arena on Friday evening, with two unblemished records on the line.

"A top-of-the-table clash against Manchester Thunder will be another step for us this season," added Trip.

"A strong start to the season has seen the group grow in confidence and we are ready for the challenge we know Manchester Thunder will bring. Thunder is a very well-structured team, and they have a number of cemented combinations working well for them which we will need to break down.

"But, as always, we will do our homework and prepare for them as we have done every team thus far.

"Once again, we are really focused on ourselves and what we are delivering in training in preparation for our games. We know we will need to be smart around how we play ball into the circle, using our variety to open up their defence and are exploring this in training."