SEVERN Stars difficult 2021 Vitality Netball SuperLeague season continued on Sunday as they were well beaten by a strong Saracens Mavericks side, 34-54.

After defeat to fellow strugglers London Pulse in their last outing, Stars came into the fixture with Mavericks having won just twice this season and facing a daunting task against the side fifth in the table.

It was a case of trying to stay in the game for long periods and Stars managed to keep within ten points throughout the opening three periods before Mavericks stormed away in the final quarter to record a 20-point win.

What started as a goal for goal first quarter changed as Mavericks quickly took advantage of Stars’ mistakes to open up an eight-point lead in the first quarter.

Stars were being overrun on the court and they needed to be more body on body going forward. The first quarter ended with them in front, 9-17, despite Stars’ shooting at 100 per cent.

Despite lots of changes to the Stars line-up, the players adapted quickly and capitalised on Mavericks’ early mistake at the start of the second quarter, with Stars’ goal keeper Lucy Herdman taking a rebound from shooter Ine-Mari Venter.

With Mavericks increasing on their lead, the held ball in the last few seconds before the interval saw Stars shoot down the court to sink one last shot before the whistle but Mavericks lead 17-27 at the break.

The third quarter saw bullet balls and pocket intercepts from Stars, but Mavericks’ speed was second to none and on a number of occasions Stars’ hard-working defensive unit forced Mavericks to slip up, but they were unable to capitalise on their turnovers. Mavericks were able to maintain their lead, ending the quarter 25-35 ahead.

The final quarter saw many changes yet again for Stars. Despite a battling effort the opposition ran away with the tie. Stars could not prevent the accurate shooting of Kadeen Corbin and Mavericks extended their lead to 20 as the game finished 34-54.

Following the game, Stars Head Coach, Melissa Bessell, said: “We started off really well, but you know we just lost our way a little bit. When you’re only 10 down you know that you can still keep plugging, plugging, plugging. It was a good game, I enjoyed it. It was a nice little battle. Losing Bethan [Dyke, to injury], obviously it has certainly put on a lot of pressure but that’s why we have 15. It’s giving others an opportunity. We know that it’s the last time we’re up here and we will start afresh in two weeks.”

Having played the opening half of the season in Wakefield, the rest of the campaign will now head to London.