Severn Stars’ hard work in training paid off in getting them back on winning form, according to their Head Coach.
Jo Trip said that it had played its part in the victory last weekend against Cardiff Dragons, but she is anticipating another tough test against their next opponents Strathclyde Sirens as the Worcester side continues in its aim to cement a top four position.
She said her team will need to have trained equally hard ahead of the upcoming match on Saturday (May 11), which will see Stars, a franchise owned by the University of Worcester, make the long journey up to Scotland.
“After a few tough weeks playing the top three teams and being disappointed with our performance on a couple of accounts, a lot of hard work at training during the week resulted in a positive result against Dragons and three valuable points in our favour,” said Trip.
“We continue to work on each area of our game heading into our game against Sirens, as well as exploring some newer combinations and connections.”
Sirens come into the match, which takes place at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, at 2pm, following defeat last weekend to Saracens Mavericks, 57-41. In contrast, Stars picked up their first victory in four matches, defeating Cardiff Dragons at the University of Worcester Arena last weekend.
“We know Sirens are always a tough team to beat when they’re at home, and they have had some better results lately, so we head into this match knowing we need to have trained hard, connect with our game plan and deliver on the day,” added Trip.
The result against Cardiff Dragons on Sunday (May 5) was for Stars a reversal from the away result back in March, which was a closely fought encounter that ended in Dragons’ favour, 48-46.
On this occasion, Stars took an early lead, assisted by an impressive long pass by mid-courter Jess Shaw into Sigi Burger in the shooting circle. Although it was neck and neck early on, Stars drew away during the first 15 minutes thanks to a number of turnovers and at the end of the first quarter had a lead of four, 17-13.
In the second quarter Stars pushed ahead and extended their lead, thanks in part to a number of interceptions from defender Jas Brown, going in at half-time ahead, 31-23. A tip and pick-up by centre Gabby Marshall at one stage of the third quarter led to a turnover, which was duly converted by Stars shooter Lefébre Rademan, one of the 21 goals she netted, which saw her named Player of the Match. Although in the third Dragons reduced the deficit somewhat, they remained six goals behind, 40-34.
With it all to play for in the final 15 minutes, Stars were dominant, with Dragons scoring seven goals in the quarter. Some impressive fast passing particularly in the attacking third by Stars, with Rademan again central to the play, saw the home side put the game out of sight, ending the match 56-41 in front, to the delight of their fans.
Trip said: “We knew, like every outing, that it would take 60 minutes of us sticking to task to get over the line, and I was very pleased with our attention to detail and application of what we had practised in training during the week out on court.”
For tickets to Stars’ next home game against Saracens Mavericks on Friday, May 24 (7.30pm), or for more information, visit the Severn Stars website: https://www.severnstars.co.uk/.