SEVERN Stars edged past Team Northumbria 47-43 in an enthralling encounter to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

The Worcester side took a 41-34 lead into the final quarter but relentless pressure brought the score back to within one point with three minutes left.

However, Stars held their nerve and closed out the game to secure a victory that lifted them to sixth in the Vitality Netball Superleague.

“I’m delighted to have the points on the board. It was a really great game,’ said head coach Sam Bird.

“We knew it was always going to be tough. We’ve had three players who’ve just flown back from Australia and we had a long journey up to Newcastle.

“You could see there were some heavy legs out there but I’m just really pleased that under pressure we actually pushed on to get the win which we haven’t done in the past.”

After a cagey start at Sport Central Arena, Newcastle, Stars’ patient, composed build-up play carved out an 8-4 lead.

Northumbria threatened when goal shooter Chiara Semple helped edge the hosts back to within two.

Stars seemed to regain control with goal shooter Eleanor Cardwell and goal attack Maryka Holtzhausen combining to help restore their lead of four.

But the hosts stormed from behind with Semple firing Northumbria 13-12 in front.

Sophie Carter replaced Laura Rudland at wing attack at the start of the second quarter but Northumbria carried their momentum and extended their lead to four.

However, Holtzhausen's creativity allowed Cardwell to keep Stars within just two for much of the quarter.

They improved as the quarter went on and levelled at 24-24 after Cardwell’s incisive pass found an unmarked Holtzhausen with less than two minutes left.

Cardwell netted twice in the closing 60 seconds to give Stars a 26-24 lead at half-time.

A nervy start to the third quarter saw Stars race to an early four-goal advantage.

The defence, including England’s Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jodie Gibson and South Africa’s Phumza Maweni, stifled Northumbria.

Cardwell and Haltzhausen, supported by the lively Carter, fired Stars into a healthy 41-34 lead at the end of the third quarter.

But Stars saw their advantage evaporate as Northumbria limited them to four goals in the opening 10 minutes before bringing the score back to within one.

However, Stars rallied with the reliable Cardwell netting twice in the final two minutes to help claim victory.

Bird added: “It’s crucial for the confidence of these girls going into the next phase of the competition.

“It’s all about that momentum. We knew this would be a hard game and there are no easy teams in this league so to get a win in this first phase of the campaign is really good.”

Stars host Loughborough Lightning on Saturday (6pm).