Severn Stars are focused on putting out a better performance each time than the last, according to Head Coach, Jo Trip, as the side prepares to face Team Bath.

The Super League Netball team sit second in the table, only on goal difference, after victories in the first two rounds of the season, making it the best ever start in the franchise’s history. But, despite this, Trip says that they are not looking too far ahead.

“The team is staying on task and focusing on one game at a time,” she said. “It is a long season, and our focus remains on continuing to put out a better performance than our last, each game.”

Although the first match of the season was held in Nottingham, this will be the team’s first official away match, held at the Team Bath Arena on Friday night (March ) at 7.30pm. Bath will be looking to bounce back from defeat at the hands of current champions Loughborough Lightning last weekend.

“Bath has a strong line-up, and it is critical that we stick to our structures and keep developing these throughout this game,” said Trip. “I was really impressed with our strong start and that is something I would like to see again. There are also areas I believe where we can win more ball and be more efficient in our court craft so I would like to see us explore this against Bath.” 

Stars, a franchise owned by the University of Worcester, enjoyed a 67-38 win over Strathclyde Sirens in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the University of Worcester Arena on Saturday.

Trip said: “Overall, I was really pleased once again with our tenacity on defence and our clinical attacking play. I think we could have put our foot down more at times and adapted better to the changes by allowing each other to settle in a little more.”

After winning their opening game against Leeds Rhinos a week earlier, expectation was high with the home fans. 

From the first centre pass, the strong defence of Severn Stars was on show and really set the tone of the game. Strathclyde Sirens struggled on their centre pass on a number of occasions and with rebounds and interceptions happening at one end of the court and the shooting prowess of Stars shooter Sigi Burger at the other end, Stars finished the quarter 21-9. 

The second quarter continued in the same fashion as the first, with a dominant team performance throughout the court from Stars. Even with changes being made, both in defence and attack, the tempo was kept high and the intensity did not drop. Stars kept up the defensive pressure throughout and went in at half time 36-15, keeping Sirens to six goals in the quarter. 

The third quarter, saw Sirens start a fight back, stopping the rate by which Stars were increasing their lead. Even so, this did not stop Stars from hitting the 50-goal mark by the end of the quarter, 50-27. The last quarter saw the whole squad of 12 get some well-earned court time and Stars extended their lead further to 67-38 by the final whistle.

Stars’ next home game at the University of Worcester Arena is against Manchester Thunder on March 8 at 7.30pm.

For tickets or more information visit the Severn Stars website: https://www.severnstars.co.uk/

Reflections of the game by Kelly Walker

Photos courtesy of clivejonespr.com