Severn Stars beat Celtic Dragons In Vitality Superleague

Severn Stars earned their first Vitality Superleague win, inflicting a third defeat of the season on Celtic Dragons.

Round Three of this year's competition got underway on Friday night, with new franchise the Stars hosting their first game after defeats to Surrey Storm and Loughborough Lightning in the opening matches.

But led by player-of-the-match Iona Darroch, they gave the home crowd plenty to cheer with a dominant display and a comprehensive 53-46 victory at the University of Worcester.

The Dragons slip to their third defeat having lost to Team Bath and the Sirens in their opening fixtures, but the Welsh franchise can take heart from a spirited effort after weathering the early storm from the hosts.

It has been a tough opening for the Stars, one of three new franchises to this year's league, having lost to two teams who have started with perfect records but as the combinations begin to fall into place there was much for head coach Mo'onia Gerrard to be pleased with.

Stars made a fast start, racing into a six-goal lead after the first quarter and stretching it out to nine in the early exchanges of the second.

But the Dragons fought their way back into the game, eventually winning the second and third periods to reduce the deficit to just three going into the final 15 minutes.

In a dramatic final quarter, Dragons closed to within one goal at 45-44 but it was the hosts who stepped on the gas, pulling away in the closing moments thanks to a combination of strong defence and pinpoint finishing from Ellie Cardwell and Darroch.

You can follow the Vitality Superleague on Sky Sports 3 and Sky Sports Mix from 7.30pm on Monday when Team Bath host Loughborough Lightning