Wasps beat Strathclyde Sirens and will play at home in Vitality Superleague semi-final
Coverage of the Vitality Superleague continues on Saturday when you can watch Saracens Mavericks v Severn Stars on the Sky Sports YouTube channel from 3.45pm
Friday 26 April 2019 22:25, UK
Wasps ensured their recent blip is behind them by beating Strathclyde Sirens for a third successive victory that secures home advantage in the Vitality Superleague semi-finals
Watch Saracens Mavericks v Severns Stars for free via the Sky Sports YouTube channel
Following a 56-41 victory in Glasgow, the back-to-back champions have now won their last six games and will top the regular season standings for a second successive season if they beat Severn Stars in their final league game next weekend.
Following a run of three defeats in four games, twice against Manchester Thunder, Mel Mansfield's side have found their form when it matters most to string together their best run since an eight-game winning run to start the season.
After their win on Easter Sunday secured their return to the semi-finals, they ensured it will be another home game in the last four with a dominant win over a brave Sirens team who were eventually worn down at the Emirates Arena.
A keenly contested first period went the way of Wasps, but having edged the first 15 minutes by two goals, the visitors got stronger as the game went on and Mel Mansfield was able to use her full compliment as they eased to a 15-goal victory.
"It was an interesting game, we wanted to get through it and build into our semi-final and we did that," Mansfield said.
"It was close but we won each quarter. We knew it was going to be tough physically, but we played through that.
"The journey up to Glasgow is always difficult, but every player had to put in a good shift today and I'm really pleased with how Tamsin Moala stepped up.
"It's all about the semi-final now for us and we're moving well toward our goals."
Sirens kept pace with Wasps in the early stages of the match, with both sides forcing turnovers and breaking up attacking play.
Jade Clarke's mid-court interception proved crucial in forging a two-goal lead that was quickly eradicated in the second by a spirited home side, roared on by a fervent home crowd in their final home game of the season.
Bongi Msomi, Tamsin Moala and Rachel Dunn began to work their combinations as Wasps opened up a six-goal lead by half-time and despite another lively showing from young Sirens shooter Emma Barrie the champions were 11 clear heading into the final 15 minutes.
The introduction of Sam May and Chloe Essam underlined the visitors strength in depth and while Sirens refused to give up they could make no inroads on the lead and Wasps again pulled clear down the stretch for a significant win that means that will bid for a third Grand Final with a semi-final at their own Ricoh Arena.
Watch Saracens Mavericks v Severn Stars live on the Sky Sports YouTube channel from 3.45pm - coverage is available on Sky Sports Mix . Sky Sports will also be showing every game of the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup in July.
