Severn Stars 41 – 61 Loughborough Lightning

Too many errors proved costly for the hosts as Lightning quickly established a lead that Stars struggled to recover from.

Jo Trip, had made changes to her usual starting line-up in defence, with Jasmine Brown in at goalkeeper and Rachael Fee at wing defence and Brown made instant impact with an interception in the opening minutes to convert the goal.

However, Lightning were also quick to capitalise from several Stars mistakes, giving them their first turnover of the game, scored by ever reliant Ugandan goal shooter, Mary Cholhok.

Despite a scrappy end to the first quarter, Lightning took charge in the final moments and extended their lead to 15-6.

Lightning started the second quarter in similar fashion, stealing the ball and capitalising on several errors to put themselves 13 goals up early on.

But Stars got back in gear, with the shooters quickly putting two consecutive goals in to get the team on the scoreboard as Brown made another flying interception at defence.

Stars produced two quick goals in the opening minutes of the second half, as midcourter Jess Shaw found Grace Namana under the post, putting the ball over the top of two England Roses defenders, Fran Williams and Alice Harvey.

Lily Smith was able to find her range and boosted Stars with a late surge of goals, but Lightning proved too clinical and extended their lead again to 25-49.

In the final 15 minutes both teams got off to a quick start, Smith continuing her confident shooting and scoring from distance to reduce the deficit.

But despite winning the final quarter 16-12, it was too late to make up the sizeable deficit and Loughborough took the win 41- 61.

Report supplied by Severn Stars