WASPS head into this weekend’s Vitality Superleague semi-final full of confidence after securing their fourth consecutive win with an emphatic 60-45 victory at Team Northumbria.
Tamsin Greenway’s team travelled to the north east to face a Team Northumbria side looking to avoid finishing bottom of the league and, despite Wasps already guaranteed top spot, last season’s play-off winners showed no mercy on their opponents.
The attacking trio of Tamsin Greenway, Natalie Haythornthwaite and Rachel Dunn increased their advantage as the game wore on.
Victory means Wasps have won 16 of their 18 games in the regular season, which is two more victories than last season’s effort.
They now take on Team Bath in the semis at the University Arena in Worcester on Saturday.
“We needed a real challenge ahead of the semi-finals and Team Northumbria brought it to us, so I’m really pleased that my side came out on top” said Wasps’ netball director Greenway.
“Team Northumbria have taken some quarters against some of the top sides but we’ve managed to win every single one in this match.
“We battled on through and knew what we were doing.
“We wanted to change some of our attacking structure just to see what we were capable of which put us under a bit of pressure at times but actually that’s what I wanted so I’m really proud that we have won by 15 points, especially after a seven-hour journey.
“We had ten out of our 11 players out on the court and have come out of the game with a clean bill of health.
“We will also have Amy Flanagan back which is great news as we prepare for this weekend.”
Wasps weathered an early storm from Team Northumbria in the opening quarter as the home side tried to build on their 10-8 lead, however, Dunn and Haythornthwaite’s prolific shooting in the circle ensured Wasps took their chances to build a slender 14-11 advantage.
Greenway’s side once again showed their ability to race away with games early on by tripling their advantage in the second quarter to lead 31-21 at half-time.
Interceptions from Wasps’ Jade Clarke and Sophia Candappa were instrumental in stemming Team Northumbria’s attack to release Haythornthwaite and Dunn at the other end of the court.
Fran Williams and Wasps’ top scorer George Fisher entered the fray for the third quarter, with the latter wasting no time in helping the Black & Golds to extend their lead with some composed shooting to round off some fine interceptions by Hannah Knights and Jade Clarke.
Wasps saw the game out in the final quarter as the experienced Greenway re-entered play to help her side capitalise on defensive turnovers with some pinpoint passing up to Fisher and Dunn.
