Netball Super League | #VNSL2018 review: Surrey Storm

Round-by-Round Recap

W	L	+	–	+/-	GA	Pts
5	13	904	1004	-100	0.90	15

Round 1 – Wasps Netball 68-43 Surrey Storm

A capacity crowd packed the Ericsson Indoor Arena to see the reigning champions begin their Vitality Netball Superleague title defence with a dominant win. Tamsin Greenway’s team led throughout the game and pulled away from the visitors in the second quarter, building a big advantage which eventually led to an impressive opening result.

Round 2 – benecosMavericks 64-62 Surrey Storm

Surrey Storm took time to find their feet and trailed at the end of the first quarter. benecosMavericks continued to dominate play but despite taking a 49-43 lead going into the final quarter, Sigi Burger equalised for Storm in the dying seconds to take the game to extra-time.

Round 3 – Team Bath Netball 60-44 Surrey Storm

At the end of a fluctuating first quarter, there was nothing to separate the two sides before the Blue and Gold gave a sell-out crowd of 1,420 supporters plenty to cheer during a stunning second period. Team Bath converted numerous turnovers as they stormed into a 32-20 half-time lead. Surrey Storm battled away in the second half but the damage had already been done.

Round 4 – Celtic Dragons 55-50 Surrey Storm

A slow start for Celtic Dragons in the first minutes of the opening quarter against Surrey Storm proved deceptive as the players in green went on to record their first victory for the VNSL 2018 campaign. The match also marked the arrival from Australia of Celtic Dragons and Wales new Interim Head Coach, Julie Hoornweg.

Round 5 – Severn Stars 55-43 Surrey Storm

Severn Stars’ Head Coach, Sam Bird, described her side as “ruthless” as they brushed aside Surrey Storm. Stars held the lead throughout the game as they blew away their opponents, opening up a huge 24-goal advantage midway through a stunning third quarter in one of their finest performances.

Round 6 – Loughborough Lightning 53-51 Surrey Storm

The home team trailed by just one point going into the final 60 seconds of the game however two terrific turnovers and a centre pass saw them score the three vital goals needed to secure the win, leaving the audience gripped to the edge of their seats until the buzzer sounded.

Round 7 – Team Northumbria 47-64 Surrey Storm

Surrey Storm finally got their first taste of victory in 2018 away to Team Northumbria. Storm were the first to convert and kept the ball rolling from there. Tania Hoffman’s side made 21 interceptions in the game, making Storm untouchable and allowing them to build a big lead over the four quarters.

Round 8 – Manchester Thunder 62-57 Surrey Storm

It was a scrappy start to the game, with neither team really taking the initiative. The sides traded the lead, but it was Surrey Storm who finished the first period in control, edging into a mini lead. A second half surge from Thunder though helped them build a six-goal lead in the third quarter and Storm were unable to pull it back.

Round 9 – UWS Sirens 44-58 Surrey Storm

The first quarter was a tight affair with the two teams level pegging at 6-6 early on. Some vital interceptions and tactical changes from Surrey Storm in the second and third quarters helped them establish a lead. Despite a fightback from Sirens, the visitors comfortably saw out the victory.

Round 10 – Surrey Storm 43-56 benecosMavericks

benecosMavericks got off to the stronger start and while Surrey Storm rallied time and time again to comeback, the visitors held onto the lead and ended the opening quarter 15-12 up. Kat Ratnapala’s side quickly extended their advantage, thanks to some great precision from their shooters.

Round 11 – Surrey Storm 70-42 Celtic Dragons

Surrey Storm pressurised Celtic Dragons from the off with sharp shooting and defensive dominance. The Green Army struggled to get the ball into their shooting circle as a cohesive Storm side secured a resounding win.

Round 12 – Surrey Storm 51-56 Team Bath Netball

Outstanding shooting backed up by inspired defending helped Team Bath Netball come through a tough challenge at Surrey Storm. Blue and Gold Head Coach Anna Stembridge said: “Storm have been picking up form and played superbly, so to see the way we took on that challenge and thrived on it was very pleasing.”

Round 13 – Surrey Storm 36-63 Wasps Netball

Wasps Netball took home the Tom Reseigh Trophy with a comfortable win. Tamsin Greenway’s side controlled the game throughout – pulling away from their opponents in the second half – to secure their 12th successive victory.

Round 14 – Surrey Storm 42-51 Severn Stars

Severn Stars took their second win in four days from Surrey Storm and recorded back-to-back wins in an impressive away victory. Storm started the game in fighting fashion, but Stars held their cool and limited their opponents to only eight goals in the second quarter. A dominant defensive performance and clinical shooting helped the visitors overcome the home side.

Round 15 – Surrey Storm 51-44 UWS Sirens

Both sides worked tirelessly in attack and defence but it was Surrey Storm leading 30-21 at the break. Tension grew at Surrey Sports Park as Sirens swiftly closed the gap, cutting Storm’s lead to just seven with several minutes remaining. But the home side held their nerve and regained control with some smart possession play.

Round 16 – Surrey Storm 52-51 Team Northumbria

Surrey Storm recorded a dramatic late victory at Surrey Sports Park. Strong attacking performances from Sigi Burger and Katie Harris helped Storm take home the win as they scored 91% and 90% respectively.

Round 17 – Surrey Storm 46-70 Manchester Thunder

Both sides looked sharp from the offset, Manchester Thunder making the most of their possessions to take a 12-21 lead after the opening quarter. It was in the penultimate quarter where the match was truly put to bed – ruthless attacking and unyielding defence left Storm chasing the game.

Round 18 – Surrey Storm 41-63 Loughborough Lightning

The scene was set, the final game for Surrey Storm’s 2018 season ending at the biggest venue yet, The Copper Box Arena. Despite the home side’s hard work, the guests found their rhythm with intricate passing and movement undoing the duck egg blue resistance.

Squad
Mikki Austin, Charmaine Baard, Adi Bolakoro, Sigrid Burger, Rhea Dixon, Jade Forbes-Wattley, Emily Gulvin, Katie Harris, Tallisa Haynes, Katy Holland, Lorraine Kowalewska, Georgia Lees, Yasmin Parsons, Emily Porter, Joanna Trip.

British Fast5 All-Stars Championship
Surrey Storm will once again take part in the British Fast5 All-Stars Championship.

The best of British netball will be showcased in the short form of the game on Saturday 13th October (1-6pm) at the Copper Box Arena.

Storm took part in the 2017 edition but missed out on the semi-finals after winning just once (35-22 vs. Team Northumbria) and losing their other two matches (11-20 vs. benecosMavericks and 21-34 vs. Wasps Netball).

Can they make it further this year? Get tickets to see the action live!