Severn Stars secure first victory of season against Surrey Storm

Head Coach Melissa Bessell was supported for the match by Liana Leota, who was missing from the line-up due to a broken hand that she sustained in the last match.

Georgia Rowe was back in the starting line-up after missing the previous two games through illness. Rowe made a welcome return to the side, scoring 10 out of 10 in the first quarter resulting in Stars winning 14-12 after the first 12 minutes.

Stars looked like a different side when they took to the court after the weeks break in the schedule. Better accuracy of the pass and speed down court resulted in Stars pulling away to a six-goal lead.

Lucy Harris and Bethan Dyke penetrated the circle edge and let the ball go into the circle more freely than previously seen this season. Stars showed good structure in their defensive line up with timely interception by Dee Bolakoro.

Changes in both defensive ends saw Storm return to court with Nicole Humphrys at wing defence and Melysha Kelly and Iman Thomas in defence for Stars.

The changes for Stars caused uncertainly for the Storm attack with interceptions at critical times. With less than two minutes to go, 16-year-old Sophie Kelly replaced Frankie Wells at goal attack which brought an instant injection of pace for Storm.

Kelly linked well with Karyn Bailey, who during the final 20 seconds, pulled off her signature move of playing the ball off the post. The score ended 28-24 with half time stats fairly even from both sides.

Additional changes for Storm after half-time with Leah Middleton moving to goal keeper and Zimbabwe captain Felisitus Kwangwa entering the game at goal defence.

Middleton provided a different option for Storm in the circle, blocking Rowe from using the back space well. Paige Reed retained her high work rate, working the front of the circle well and showed why she deserved Player of the Match. Jane Taylor replaced Reed, allowing her time to refresh ready to re-enter the game in the final quarter.

Storm introduced a familiar line-up with player-coach Mikki Austin coming on at centre and Yasmin Parsons moving to wing attack. However, it was Stars that remained on top, with thanks to the great vision of Bethan Dyke to her Welsh teammate Rowe under the post.

Storm continued to apply pressure to Stars at the start of the final quarter. An uncharacteristic miss from Rowe under the post, brought the scores level at 40-40 with 10 minutes still to play. Storm followed by converting their centre pass to goal, taking them ahead for the first time in the game.

Composure from both sides saw the match go goal for goal before Stars stretched the lead again. Stars were challenged by Storm to the end, but they maintained their composure and banked their first win of the season 49-46.

iPro Player of the Match, Paige Reed, commented after the game: "Although the score went up and down and at one point we were drawing, I feel, as a team, it didn’t matter who took to the court, we were in control of what was going on.

"I think we held our own and learnt from the last few games. We implemented what we have been working on in training, which proves we have been working hard behind the scenes. We felt connected as a team and happy with tonight performance, but nothing is ever perfect."

iPro Player of the Match: Paige Reed (Severn Stars).

Match report from Severn Stars.

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