WASPS Netball recovered from their midweek defeat against Manchester Thunder to edge local rivals Severn Stars 54-47 on Sunday.
The hosts had a ten-goal lead in the first-half, but had a nervy ending to the game when the gap was reduced to four in the final-quarter.
Mel Mansfield was insistent on the importance of the three-points, despite the performance not being up to the usual standards.
“It’s good to get the win. I’m not particularly happy with the performance but at the end of the day, the three points is what matters.
“I didn’t feel we were going to lose it but we let them get back into the game in the third-quarter, which has typically been a strong quarter for us this season.
“However, we came through the pressure and played well in the final-quarter to come away with the win.”
The Wasps head coach insisted the supporters made the world of difference to her side’s chances of claiming the win, whilst vowing to fine-tune the Black and Golds performance in training.
“We had the benefit of playing at home with fantastic support to push us forward when it got tight.
“We’ll be looking at why we faltered in the third-quarter and will put that right before we play Loughborough Lightning next Monday.”
A slow start by Wasps was eventually put to a halt, when Rachel Dunn was fed the ball by Bongi Msomi to find the net with a series of quick-fire goals to give the hosts a three-goal lead at the end of quarter one.
Katie Harris shone in the second-quarter, putting away a number of chances from the get-go, allowing her side to build some attacking rhythm in the game – claiming a double-figure advantage at half-time.
Fran Williams and Hannah Knights proved effective to break up play in Wasps’ defensive zone, and it looked to be a similar devastating display of finishing by Wasps in the third-quarter, when Dunn found an early goal.
However, Severn Stars grew into the game and brought the deficit back to just six, Halimat Adio – a former Wasp – impressing playing as Goal Keeper.
The final-quarter opened with a five-goal lead for Wasps, but Stars crept to within three of levelling the scores.
Knights was able to claim an interception which was a vital moment in the game, Wasps counter-attacking in sublime fashion to extend their lead.
It was a nervy final 15 for Wasps, but the reigning champions avoided a potential hurdle against eighth-placed Stars.
Wasps next head to Loughborough Lightning on Monday (March 18, 7pm) in the reverse-fixture of the season opener, which Mansfield’s side won 72-42.