SEVERN Stars recorded the biggest win in their short history with an emphatic 63-33 victory over Team Northumbria.

Stars blew their opponents away in a dominant third-quarter performance, limiting them to just four goals while pulling 20 ahead on their way to victory at the University of Worcester Arena.

The victory, the fourth in a row at home for Stars, guarantees them a place at this year’s Fast5 All-Stars tournament and moves the team a step closer to securing sixth spot in the Vitality Netball Superleague.

However, in a cagey start to the opening quarter neither side were able to find a foothold in the game.

Stars eventually began to find their rhythm towards the end of the opening 15 minutes with goal shooter Eleanor Cardwell finding her range to help move them 13-7 ahead by the end of the quarter.

They maintained their lead for much of the second quarter against a combative Northumbria side who did their best to disrupt the home side’s rhythm.

But Stars ended the quarter strongly again with Cardwell and goal attack Maryka Holtzhausen, the player of the match, combining well to help increase the lead at half-time to 29-20.

The Worcester side blew away Northumbria in a stunning third-quarter performance though which saw them extend their advantage to 20 goals with just three minutes of the period remaining.

Phumza Maweni was relentless in her defensive efforts as Stars limited their opponents to just four goals in the quarter.

Cardwell and Holtzhausen continued to cause havoc in the attacking third as Stars took a huge 50-24 lead.

They rang the changes in the final quarter with youngster Shona O’Dwyer making her debut at centre.

The youngster impressed too with her incisive pass midway through the final quarter finding Cardwell who netted, helping Stars on their way to the 63-33 victory.

“There was some beautiful play from our players and I’m really pleased with that performance,” said head coach Sam Bird.

“Not even the top teams in the league are necessarily winning by these big margins so it’s great for the club and just shows where we want to be.”

On O’Dwyer, Bird said: “She works tirelessly in training every week and I was so pleased to get her on. She fed the circle really well and blended in really well.”

Tickets for the next home game against Celtic Dragons on Monday, June 25, are available at severnstars.co.uk.