SEVERN Stars boss Sam Bird was “really happy” with her side’s performance in their 54-47 defeat at Vitality Netball Superleague leaders Wasps.

Although Stars came up short their positive display, especially in the second half, saw them push the champions in the Midlands derby.

Bird was also delighted that Stars were able to put last week’s disappointing home loss to Saracens Mavericks behind them and get their season back on track.

“I’m really happy with that performance, although I thought we could have won,” Bird said.

“We used the ball that we had won brilliantly and in that third quarter in particular, I am really proud of the team. “It just shows that when we get it together, we can compete with anyone.

"I am really pleased with the performance and how we bounced back after Monday.

“Now we have to convert competing into victories.”

Neither side could gain a foothold in the game as the defence dominated and with two minutes left in the first quarter the score was 10-10.

But Wasps showed just why they are champions, sneaking out to a three-goal lead just before the quarter ended.

The second quarter started evenly but Stars looked increasingly laboured in possession and lost their wavelength. Despite a change in attack it was the home side who took a stranglehold on the game and by half-time they led 32-22.

Bird rang the changes at the interval but Wasps scored the first three goals of the second half.

However a foray out of the top of the circle from Star’s shooter Georgia Rowe followed by a bullet ball to captain Maryka Holtzhausen under the post, seemed to spark Stars into action. By the end of the quarter Stars had halved the deficit and the score was 42-37.

The final quarter saw more of the same, but Stars were never able to decrease the lead to less than four.

Just as Stars had attacking possession to close the gap, Wasps captain Jade Clarke came up with a big turnover to halt Stars in their tracks.

A little run of goals in the dying seconds of the game meant Wasps ran out victors.