SEVERN Stars captain Laura Malcolm says the team are pushing to end the second half of the season on a high as they go up against Manchester Thunder today (5pm).

With seven games left in the Worcester team’s second Superleague campaign including four at home, Malcolm says they aim to improve their third-from-bottom position of last year. 

She said the side had grown in their attitude and identity this season and would look to redress some difficult losses due to inconsistent performances earlier in the season.

“We want to end the season strongly and have always been aiming for a better finish than last year,” said Malcolm.

“So we want to push for back-to-back wins and put right some wrongs from the first half of the season.

"The team are in good spirits at the moment and we have built a lot in terms of culture and identity from last season.

"It’s not easy to deal with losses but we have been relentless with our analysis and it feels good knowing this team doesn’t have a defeated attitude but is always striving for more.”

Fourth-from-bottom Stars look to continue their impressive form from the last match against Benecos Mavericks when they pulled away in the second half to win 55-44.

Fourth-placed Manchester are one of two teams Stars lost to by just a point in the dying seconds earlier in the season.

Former Thunder player Malcolm said some of the north-west team have had 10 Superleague seasons together so are “pretty much on a telepathic level”.

“Manchester will be a tough game,” she said. “They are very well drilled and an extremely experienced team.

"We have to hit the ground running and stay consistent throughout if we want to compete.”

But Malcolm said the Mavericks win had given the side a boost.

“It was great to get the win against Mavericks especially after such a heavy defeat against them the first time round,” she said.

“I was so proud of how the coaches and players responded to a difficult loss against Team Bath and everyone involved played their part to get the win.

"The most pleasing thing about it is that it was at home and we put out a strong performance for our fans. 

"They have truly been fantastic this season and it was very frustrating that we hadn’t won at home.

“The result will help in our next game because everyone knows the work that’s needed to win. 

"It is a confidence boost and it would have been tough going up against another big team if we were coming from a loss.”