Reigning Vitality Netball Superleague champions Surrey Storm got their 2017 season off to the perfect start with a punishing 58-40 win over new side Severn Stars at Surrey Sports Park.
A nervy start from both sides was quickly overturned, as the new look host side grew in confidence throughout the tie and took a cruising opening weekend victory.
New side Severn Stars opened their debut Superleague appearance in a confident fashion, while Storm appeared to need time to find their feet. The hosts slipped to an early 1-5 deficit but were able to claw back and end the opening quarter one goal down at 10-11.
Storm side came out in the second quarter with fire and determination and soon got into the swing of things. Mikki Austin and Katy Holland’s pressure on Stars attack, particularly in the defensive third, ensured that the turnovers were coming thick and fast. Every Stars possession was pressured and soon the multiple errors made by the visitors’ attack saw Storm close out the period leading 30-20.
Austin’s impressive presence on court continue in the third quarter, continually shutting down the Stars centre to force weak balls into the circle ready for Holland to pick up and convert to the opposite goal. The changes Stars made at half time challenged Storm but the hosts went into the final quarter leading 43-33.
Only 10 goals in it for quarter four meant that Storm couldn’t afford to switch off just yet. The high and fast feeds from Katy Harris, Yasmin Parsons and Austin into Kiwi shooter Megan Craig took the crowds breath away and there was simply nothing that Stars defence could do to stop that strong ball in. Harris was taking tough shots but making them look easy much to the crowds’ delight and the masterful switching between Holland and Lorraine Kowalewska made the Stars shooters work extra hard for those goals. Stars never gave up but it was Storm who took a big 58-40 win to secure top spot after all but one of the opening round’s fixtures.
Storm’s next game is against last season’s runner up Manchester Thunder in the highly anticipated Super Ten competition in Birmingham this Saturday (25th), which you can watch live on Sky Sports Mix from 6pm.
Photo above shows Katy Holland whose defensive performance earned her the Player of the Match award.
Report courtesy of Surrey Storm Media Office
