A STANDALONE Friday night Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) fixture saw Strathclyde Sirens take down the last placed Celtic Dragons by 10 goals. The Sirens needed the victory to break back-to-back losses, and it was thanks to a dominant first half that set up the 51-41 triumph.

Strathclyde Sirens are back on the winners list after defeating Celtic Dragons by 10 goals, 51-41 at Emirates Arena. The Sirens had only won one game since the opening weekend when they defeated Wasps Netball by six goals, and that was a two-goal nail-biter over Surrey Storm. Speaking of the Storm, the Sirens moved ahead of them by one goal into seventh, also leapfrogging the Wasps in the process. Critically though, they moved just a couple of wins adrift of the top four, with the hope of using the victory as a springboard for the future.

The Sirens burst out of the blocks to pile on 28 goals to 18 in the first half, keeping their opponents to single digits in both quarters. The second half was far more even as the Dragons stemmed the flow and began the comeback, but the double-digit deficit was just too much. Though the Dragons won the last quarter (10-9), it was a case of too little, too late for the Welsh side, and the Scottish team got up in front of a home crowd.

Sirens captain Gia Abernethy lead from the front with a mammoth 28 feeds in centre to earn Player of the Match honours. Returning to the side after missing through Health and Safety Protocols, Bethany Dix picked up the 16 feeds, whilst Bethan Goodwin (28 goals from 33 attempts) got on the end of the work from the pair, and Niamh McCall (19 from 23, and nine feeds). Towera Vinkhumbo (five intercepts, four deflections, one rebounds and seven turnovers) and Emily Nicholl (four intercepts, four turnovers) formed a dynamic duo in the defensive goal circle.

Stepping into big shoes, Katarina Short did all she could with 30 goals in 34 attempts, as well as two rebounds in goalshooter. Though her efforts did not go unrecognised, the Dragons truly did come up short. Aside from Short, Laura Rudland (18 feeds) and Annabel Roddy (six deflections, one rebounds and two turnovers) and Lefébre Rademan (11 goals at 100 per cent efficiency) all tried hard.

Strathclyde Sirens remain at home for Round 10 with a clash against Severn Stars, whilst Celtic Dragons return home to Sport Wales National Centre to face Surrey Storm.