Netball Super League | #VNSL2018 review: UWS Sirens

W	L	+	–	+/-	GA	Pts
5	13	815	962	-147	0.85	15

Round-by-Round Recap

Round 1 – Loughborough Lightning 55-44 UWS Sirens

UWS Sirens brought with them a few familiar faces in Loughborough University Alumni Vanessa Walker and Ella Gibbons, along with ex-England powerhouse Sara Bayman. With key signings such as those for 2018, an element of the unknown circled the match, leaving fans eager to see what was in store.

Round 2 – Manchester Thunder 60-43 UWS Sirens

UWS Sirens were dogged and determined as they produced some special phases of play to keep in touch in the first quarter. Manchester Thunder maintained a high-tempo strategy and pounced on any loose balls. The game ultimately petered out with Thunder given the luxury of using all 12 players as they sealed the win.

Round 3 – Wasps Netball 69-37 UWS Sirens

UWS Sirens started strongly against the defending champions, capitalising on a few mistakes from the home side to limit Wasps Netball to a four-goal advantage at the end of the first quarter. Tamsin Greenway’s team pushed on with a classy display, creating turnover after turnover and limiting Sirens’ attacking options.

Round 4 – UWS Sirens 45-40 Team Northumbria

UWS Sirens showed what they’re made of on home soil for the first time, with a good win in front of a 1,000 strong crowd. Ex-TN star, Leah Kennedy said: “It was fantastic to see we are starting to click and the combinations are coming together. This is only going to keep growing from here.

Round 5 – Team Bath Netball 60-34 UWS Sirens

The Blue and Gold set the tone during a phenomenal first quarter as they stormed into a 17-4 lead. UWS Sirens battled back in a feisty and physical affair but Team Bath proved their top four credentials by remaining composed throughout to extend their advantage.

Round 6 – benecosMavericks 46-44 UWS Sirens

The home side moved out to a 10-goal cushion at one stage in the final quarter but UWS Sirens roared back, narrowing the gap to two with three minutes to go. benecosMavericks Head Coach, Kat Ratnapala praised the Scottish side: “Sirens showed their resilience and were not prepared to give us the win easily.”

Round 7 – UWS Sirens 46-66 Severn Stars

In an end-to-end opening quarter, the visitors took the lead towards the end of the first 15 minutes. Severn Stars carried that momentum into the second but UWS Sirens cut the deficit to just five goals. The visitors rallied though with rapid counter attacking and lethal shooting to see out a stylish first win of the season.

Round 8 – UWS Sirens 65-43 Celtic Dragons

UWS Sirens took full advantage of a poor start from Celtic Dragons to take a 16-9 lead at the end of quarter one. They continued to push on, controlling the game throughout, and claimed their second win of the bank holiday.

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 – UWS Sirens 42-64 Manchester Thunder

UWS Sirens held-off Manchester Thunder for long periods – they were brilliant in pockets, especially in attack, with Shantal Slater bringing the flair. Sirens stayed in touch, with only a four goal gap to bridge (24-28) at half time, but their resistance faded as the game wore on and Thunder eventually ran out comfortable winners.

Round 11 – Team Northumbria 47-42 UWS Sirens

Team Northumbria successfully silenced UWS Sirens with a performance that screamed potential, passion and determination. From the outset, the home side sought to set the tone with a game built on stifling defence. Sirens struggled to get a grip on centre court and there was no way back as Team Northumbria controlled the fourth period.

Round 12 – UWS Sirens 45-59 Wasps Netball

There was nothing to separate the two sides in the opening exchanges, as they matched each other goal-for-goal in a high-intensity first quarter. UWS Sirens kept pace with the league leaders throughout the first half. Wasps Netball pulled away from their hosts in the third quarter.

Round 13 – UWS Sirens 45-62 Loughborough Lightning

Loughborough Lightning continued their upward trajectory as they got the better of Scottish side UWS Sirens in Glasgow. After a cagey opening 15, which generally went goal-for-goal, last season’s table-toppers took control.

Round 14 – UWS Sirens 51-43 Team Bath Netball

UWS Sirens pleased their home crowd with an overdue and well-earned win at the Emirates Arena in their first game of the double-header weekend. The Scottish side dictated play, forcing the visitors into pressured passes. They also capitalised on fast-paced possession as they raced through the court to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

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 – Severn Stars 55-36 UWS Sirens

In an evenly contested start to the first quarter, neither side was able to build more than a one-goal lead, as both sides cancelled each other out early on. Severn Stars got the upper hand and although UWS Sirens chipped away at the deficit, Sam Bird’s team turned on the style in the final quarter.

Round 17 – Celtic Dragons 37-59 UWS Sirens

Billed as the #CelticClash between one of netball’s fiercest rivalries, Scotland and Wales, the match got off to a lightning start. But the honours went north as UWS Sirens came out on top in front of a bumper crowd in Celtic Dragons’ final home match of the season.

Round 18 – UWS Sirens 49-47 benecosMavericks

The two sides went head-to-head in front of a Glasgow crowd dressed for summer as UWS Sirens brought the curtain down on their season with a beach party theme. A fierce performance from the home team saw them go out on a high in 2018 and also ended benecosMavericks’ hopes of a place in the semi-finals.

Squad

Nicole Aiken Pinnock, Sara Bayman, Kelly Boyle, Claire Brownie, Lynsey Gallagher, Ella Gibbons, Bethan Goodwin, Leah Kennedy, Emily Nicholl, Nicola McCleery, Samantha Murphy, Jo Pettitt, Bethany Sutherland, Shantal Slater, Vanessa Walker.

British Fast5 All-Stars Championship

By finishing eighth in VNSL2018, UWS Sirens secured their spot at the British Fast5 All-Stars Championship.

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

It’ll be Sirens’ first appearance at the event but they’re ready and raring to make their mark!

Snap up tickets now and be courtside to find out how they get on!

#UWSSirens are super excited to be a part of this years @Fast5allstars Championship at the @CopperBoxArena in London on Saturday, October 13th!??

For more info and tickets, just click below!? https://t.co/n7RRtDrnQw

— UWS Sirens (@SirensNetball) July 18, 2018