SEVERN Stars confidently brushed aside UWS Sirens with a dominant 55-36 victory for their third successive home victory.

Despite a fiercely-contested opening 15 minutes, Stars came alive in the second quarter to build a decisive 14-goal lead and the visitors were unable to recover.

The win gave Stars momentum in their pursuit of a confirmed sixth spot in the Vitality Netball Superleague with both remaining games at the University of Worcester Arena.

In an even start to the first quarter, neither side could build more than a one-goal lead.

Stars enjoyed the upper hand in the final three minutes of the quarter though.

Relentless defensive work from goal keeper Phumza Maweni helped keep the visitors at bay while goal shooter Eleanor Cardwell and goal attack Maryka Holtzhausen found their range to ensure Stars led 11-7.

They carried their momentum into the second quarter, racing to an early 15-8 lead as they slowly began to wear down a stubborn defence.

The hosts increased in confidence with Maweni, goal defence Sam Cook and wing defence Jodie Gibson winning several interceptions to limit Sirens’ effectiveness in the circle.

Stars began to dominate in the attacking third too with wing attack Iona Darroch cleverly finding space for Cardwell and Holtzhausen who ensured they went into the half-time interval 28-14 in front.

Sirens responded in the third quarter with goal shooter Shantal Slater finding more space.

But Stars maintained a healthy lead with their quick attacking play overwhelming a stretched defence to end the quarter 44-24 in front.

Stars turned on the style in the final period with Gibson’s precise long pass finding Cardwell who netted to increase the lead to 48-26.

They rang the changes with the entire bench getting a run-out to seal a comfortable victory.

Head coach Sam Bird said: “I’m really pleased with that. We’ve been training abroad in La Manga.

"The girls really connected while we were there and wanted to come back and show we’re really well organised as a team.

“We played with structure and were really quite clinical in some of our play so I’m happy.”

Tickets for the next home game against Team Northumbria on Saturday (6pm) are available at severnstars.co.uk.