Top

Match report: Wasps Netball 68 – 46 Team Northumbria

Wasps Netball secured back-to-back home wins for the first time with a convincing 68-46 victory against Team Northumbria on Good Friday at the Ricoh Arena.

Tamsin Greenway was impressed with her team’s defensive performance and the second half display which saw Wasps build an unassailable lead.

Wasps Director of Netball Greenway took to the court again and says the physicality of the game meant players needed to be rested in the final quarter.

She said: “Nat Haythornthwaite and Lucy Harris took some really big hits out there tonight, we have a tough challenge against Hertfordshire Mavericks on Monday and it was good for me to get the legs moving just in-case I am needed.

“Defensively we were outstanding all over the court in this game – we disrupted Northumbria’s play and that was huge for us. We started really well and we pushed on when we needed to, I thought the third quarter performance was absolutely brilliant and allowed us to relax towards the end.”

“I think we’re growing as a team, we haven’t had a chance to cement our starting seven but we’re finally getting to do that now and the benefits are showing.”

Wasps Netball scored first through goal shooter Rachel Dunn but it was a sloppy start for both sides, with active hands on the defensive end leading to turnovers.

The home team started to find their feet midway through the first quarter, with Bongi Msomi finding Dunn well in the shooting circle to push Wasps to an early four goal advantage.

Team Northumbria fought back well, holding Wasps to only a two goal advantage after the first period of play.

A terrific interception from Wasps captain Hannah Reid set the tone for the second quarter, with the visitors playing very physically but still unable to disrupt Dunn’s clinical shooting stroke.

After the break, Wasps started to build their lead, leading by 12 goals within the three minutes.

Lucy Harris, making her first start for Wasps, showed flashes of her potential at wing attack throughout and provided great energy with Bongi Msomi in the mid-court to stretch their team’s advantage.

The home side continued to impress and had the game sewn up going into the final quarter, leading 52-36.

Wasps made two changes for the fourth quarter with Tamsin Greenway, making her second appearance since coming out of retirement, and George Fisher also entering the action.

Wasps maintained their high-intensity play to finish the match 68-46 winners, setting them up perfectly for the Easter Monday visit to Hertfordshire Mavericks (7.45pm centre-pass).

Mavericks produced a shock win over top-four contenders Team Bath in their last game and will provide a good test for the developing Wasps side.

Wasps Netball’s next home fixture will see them face Sirens on Sunday, April 23 (2.00pm centre-pass) – as they look to make it three wins in a row at the Ricoh Arena.

Attendance: 1,027
Player of the match: Bongi Msomi

Q1: 14-12
Q2: 33-26
Q3: 52-36
Q4: 68-46

Wasps starting seven: GK Josie Huckle; GD Hannah Reid; WD Sam May; C Bongi Msomi; WA Lucy Harris; GA Nat Haythornthwaite; GS Rachel Dunn

Used Substitutes: Greenway (WA) G Fisher (GS)

Team Northumbria starting seven: GK Evie Brierton; GD Tuaine Keenan; WD Fi Toner; C Brie Grierson; WA Tamsin Moala; GA Chi Semple; GS Georgia Rowe

Used substitutes: Thomas (WD)

Shooting stats:
Rachel Dunn – 41
Nat Haythornthwaite – 18
George Fisher – 9

error: Content is protected !!