Storm edge Sirens in thriller

Sirens began from centre pass and struck first, as Bethan Goodwin sunk her first shot of the game but Storm replied quickly as Francesca Wells found the net as both teams exchanged goal for goal.

Emma Barry held great position on Leah Middleton to give Sirens the first lead of the game as the away team build momentum and take a three-goal lead.

Storm struggled in their first phase of attack as Sirens' defensive unit did a great job to force storm into their own third.

Felisitus Kwangwa, who would go on to win Player Of The Match, flew through the air to intercept the ball but Storm are unable to find the net at the other end.

At the other end, Barry’s size and length continue to take advantage of Middleton as the shooter propels them to a five-goal lead.

Storm swung the momentum in the last few possessions of the quarter, as Kwangwa darted around the court and Sophia Candappa found Peace Proscovia for some aerial takes to finish the opening quarter 17-15 to Sirens.

Storm upped the energy on defence to begin the second quarter as Sirens struggled to find Emma Barrie in the shooting circle.

Candappa, on her first start for Storm, was locked in from first centre pass as the experience wing attack picked out Proscovia from all areas of the court to tie the game in the opening minutes.

After the game was tied at 20 apiece, both teams went goal for goal as neither side are able to pull away in the first 7 minutes. Both teams were not giving an inch as turnovers continue at either end before Sirens eventually fed Goodwin.

Niamh Cooper's centre pass feed to Proscovia to keep Storm within striking distance of Sirens and Wells then tied the game again at 25 goals each.

Storm took the lead for the first time with two minutes to go to give the home side the advantage before Sirens replied to tie the game up heading into the locker room 27 – 27.

Storm are the first to open the scoring in the second half after Candappa located Proscovia in the back space and the Ugandan shooter found the net.

Sirens were clinical with possession and forced Storm to try and shake up the game as Niamh Cooper is replaced by Charlotte Curtis as they tried to make an impact on this goal for goal game.

With six minutes to go Sirens take a two-goal advantage as Storm trail behind. Looking composed around the circle's edge, Storm continued to stay in the game as Emma Magee replaces Wells for some attacking pace.

An airball from Barrie leads Middleton to recover the ball and the shooter to shooter connection between Magee and Peace sees Storm take the lead by one goal again. A quick centre pass and Storm net one more before the whistle taking a 2 goal lead heading into the final quarter.

A flying start for Storm to begin the fourth as the home side recover ball and punish all mistakes from Sirens.

Proscovia did what she does best, making an unbelievable shot falling out of bounds as Storm led by five goals. Not going down easy Sirens battle their way back into the game putting the pressure on Storm.

Kwangwa, who has been everywhere, ran hard on ball for a needed interception to give Storm a 4 -goal cushion after Proscovia sunk her shot.

Sirens changed Goodwin to goal shooter for Barrie with three minutes to go and she reduced the deficit to two goals with two minutes left in the game.

Storm having experience in these situation this season managed to hold onto the ball and execute in the final minutes to take a 55-52 home victory.

The Gilbert Player of the Match was Felisitus Kwangwa

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Report provided by Surrey Storm