Severn Stars 42 Hertfordshire Mavericks 48

A POOR second-half performance proved costly for Severn Stars as they fell to a disappointing 48-42 defeat in their final home game of the Vitality Netball Superleague season.

Despite being level for most of the first half against Hertfordshire Mavericks the home side fell away in the final 30 minutes of a physical encounter at the University of Worcester Arena.

The result leaves Stars one place and three points behind Mavericks in the table with one match to go.

After an even start to the game Mavericks eventually gained control and edged ahead by two points after eight minutes courtesy of goal shooter Vicklyn Joseph’s composure in front of goal.

But Stars rallied and hit back to stem the flow with goal shooter Eleanor Cardwell netting twice to level the game at 9-9 just two minutes later.

But Mavericks ended a fiercely-contested quarter in front with the lethal Joseph finding space to net to give the visitors a 14-13 lead.

Stars came out firing in the second quarter as they edged ahead in the opening minutes but they couldn't extend their advantage to more than two points against a stubborn Mavericks defence.

The Hertfordshire team began to dominate in the closing stages of the half, levelling the score with five minutes remaining before extending their advantage to four points to head into half-time 25-21 in front.

Stars started slowly after the interval and Mavericks capitalised, dominating the opening eight minutes and building a double-digit lead midway through the third quarter.

But Rachel Sweet's flying interception allowed Stars to halt the visitors’ attacking momentum and enabled the team to gain some much-needed possession in the game.

The hosts rallied with goal attack Iona Darroch and Cardwell dominating in front of goal to ensure Stars halved the deficit, ending the quarter trailing 37-32.

Stars carried their momentum into the final 15 minutes and their incisive play in the attacking third allowed Darroch to open the scoring to give them hope of a comeback.

Both sides battled in a feisty final quarter but Stars struggled to break through a tenacious Mavericks defence with the visitors holding a seven-point lead for the majority of the quarter.

Back-to-back goals from Cardwell in the final two minutes cut the deficit to six points but Mavericks held on to secure victory.

Stars head coach Mo’onia Gerrard was disappointed with the performance.

“The overall performance was a bit dull in my eyes,” she said.

“Every time we come out and play a game the girls have that fire and intensity but against Hertfordshire it didn’t feel like they were firing when we needed them to.

“In the second quarter we shot eight goals. You’re not going to win games by only scoring eight goals in a quarter.”

Stars’ attention now turns to their final game of the season away at Manchester Thunder next Saturday (5pm).