Wasps cement advantage at the top of the table

Wasps Netball battled to a 45-59 victory against UWS Sirens to maintain their unbeaten record in the Vitality Netball Superleague.

Tamsin Greenway’s team pulled away from their hosts in the third quarter, after the Glasgow side had matched the league leaders throughout the first half.

The win cements Wasps advantage at the top of the table and leaves Sirens three points adrift at the bottom of the league.

Netball director Greenway praised the resilience that saw her team through a difficult first quarter.

“I’m pleased with how the team eventually pulled through. It is good experience to have these tighter opening quarters and we’re actually enjoying the challenge,” she said.

“I thought Sirens were brilliant. I expect that intensity from every team in the second half of the season because we are the team to beat.

“Rachel Dunn was excellent for us. She played in two positions and gave us a real calmness in the circle at goal shooter.

“The journey up here was a long one but we took it in our stride. The team showed that they are elite athletes and it’s great to come away with another win.”

There was nothing to separate the two sides in the opening exchanges, as they matched each other goal-for-goal in a high-intensity first quarter.

During this spell, Sirens’ defender Nicole Aiken-Pinnock forced George Fisher into a succession of uncharacteristic misses, but the black- and-gold shooter still dispatched enough chances to keep her team level.

High-pressure second-quarter defence from the visitors led to a series of fouls which allowed Greenway’s team to gain a foothold in the match.

Interceptions from Jade Clarke and Hannah Knights set the tone, pushing the league leaders to a four goal half-time advantage.

Wing attack Sophia Candappa and goal defence Fran Williams came on after the break as Greenway aimed to take a tighter grip on the game and this new look line-up stamped its authority on the third quarter to build a 10-goal lead entering the final 15 minutes.

Knights then starred in the last quarter for Wasps, stealing the ball in the defensive circle and capitalising on loose passes from Sirens to disrupt their attacking play.

The visitors continued to perform strongly in the closing stages, to secure a 14-goal margin win which delivered an 11th successive Superleague victory.

Wasps’ next home fixture sees them face Loughborough Lightning on Saturday, May 26 (7.00pm centre-pass).

Tickets for Wasps Netball vs Loughborough Lightning on May 26 are available from www.waspsnetball.co.uk/tickets.

Wasps starting seven: GK Sam May; GD Hannah Knights; WD Amy Flanagan; C Jade Clarke; WA Natalie Haythornthwaite; GA Rachel Dunn; GS George Fisher

Used Substitutes: Fran Williams (GD); Sophia Candappa (WA); Josie Huckle (GK)

Sirens starting seven: GK Nicole Aiken-Pinnock; GD Emily Nicholl; WD Claire Brownie; C Sara Bayman; WA Samantha Murphy; GA Lynsey Gallagher; GS Shantal Slater