Match Report: Severn Stars vs London Pulse, 13 June 2021

In a very close encounter it was London Pulse who were able to pull through 42-40 winners in vitality netball super league match against Severn Stars. Stars and Pulse sweated it out on a sunny Sunday 13 June, at the London Copper box Arena, in Stars penultimate game of the VNSL 2021 season.

With the two sides next to each other in the league, Severn Stars were hoping that they could beat their rivals in their second time facing the London side in the season. The first quarter showed why London Pulse and Severn Stars are so close in the league as the momentum continually shifted between the two sides. The mistakes costing both teams attacking line ups and a low scoring quarter. The first quarter finished with nothing to separate the teams at 8-8.

There were no changes to either side at the start of the second quarter, Head Coaches hoping that their team would be the first side to settle. Severn Stars began to sight GS Rowe under the post earlier and with strong holds she was able to continue her shooting form of 93% across the season. This left the London Pulse defence second guessing as to whether Stars were sending in the ball early or working it down through their GA Paige Reed. Severn Stars felt the momentum swing in their favour and built up a 3-goal lead. To counteract this, London Pulse changed WA, bringing in Ellie Ratu.

A great baseline drive from Pulse GA Rademan brought the score back to 18 a piece. Pulse GS Burger was called for replayed ball but Stars failed to use the opportunity and Pulse were able to create another 2-goal lead. The first half finished London Pulse 21, Severn Stars 19.

A change for Severn Stars going into the second half, bringing Malysha Kelly on to GK. Stars started brightly bringing the scoreline quickly back level. Pressure by Nia Jones at WD caused issues for London Pulse’s attacking line in being able to bring the ball from the centre third to the goal third however once reaching the circle Rademan continued to slot the goals for her side. With two minutes left in the quarter London Pulse’s GK Keeble received a warning for persistent contact by the umpire. Things remained tight, going into the last quarter 30-30.

Pulse brought Keeble off the court for the fourth quarter, and Zara Everitt came to GD for London Pulse. No changes for Severn Stars who came onto court fighting and were able to quickly establish a two goal lead at the start of the fourth. Pulse were not about to lie down though and battled back to 33 a piece with 7 minutes left.

The connection between Stars shooting partnership of Reed and Rowe came into its own as things became tight towards the end of the game as Stars were able to get close to the goal before putting up the shot. 3 minutes left and the play started to go goal for goal along with centre pass. A contact call against Pulse GD, gave Stars the chance with a defender out but miscommunication caused Severn Stars to miss the chance, and Pulse were clinical in their finish, pulling away with the win at 42-40.

Player of the match was Funmi Fudoju for London Pulse who had played at both GD and GK.

Severn Stars Head Coach Melissa Bessell commented after the game, “I feel disappointed and dejected, we had our moments where we could have taken it but we didn’t” she added, “we have one game left against Celtic Dragons and we will be giving that everything we’ve got”.

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