IN a ladder-defining clash for the bottom half of the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) competition, it was Surrey Storm who grabbed their third win of the season, defeating Wasps Netball by eight goals in a Monday night clash. Both sides headed into the contest as bottom four teams, given Wasps sat seventh with a 3-5 record – having strung together a couple of wins in the last few weeks – and the Storm at 2-5 despite some strong performances. By the end of the match though, the Storm would rise above both the Wasps and Strathclyde Sirens to move into seventh on the table and be two wins outside the top four.

Returning home for a standalone Monday night fixture, it was a must-win for Surrey Storm who had produced a number of so close, yet so far results in the 2022 VNSL season. Wasps Netball, after a forgettable start to the season, had begun building some confidence and form, and had two two of their past four matches, with the two losses being by a combined five goals.

It was all the Storm early though, racing out to a 17-11 lead at quarter time to get the home crowd at Surrey Sports Park up and about. Wasps reeled them in through the second term in a higher-scoring 18-17 term, before the sides put up 14 goals apiece in the third quarter. It meant the Storm still held a five-goal lead at the final change, but not resting on their laurels, Surrey put up 19 goals to 16 to run out 67-59 winners to retain the Tom Reseigh Trophy.

Yasmin Parsons has had some impressive efforts for the Storm this season, and her game against the Wasps was no different, recording 26 feeds, a rare rebound and a turnover out of wing attack to earn Player of the Match honours. She was able to feed well in tandem with Mikki Austin (5 feeds, one intercept and two turnovers) to the shooters, Peace Proscovia (48 goals from 49 attempts, as well as three rebounds) and Francesca Wells (16 goals from 19 attempts). In defence, Leah Middleton was switched on, picking up four intercepts, two rebounds, two deflections and eight turnovers in the win.

Gezelle Allison lead the scoring for the losing side with 37 goals from 43 attempts, as well as two rebounds, whilst Rachel Dunn shot 17 of 19, with one rebound and one intercept, but critically fed to Allison 16 times. Iona Christian was superb in wing attack with 35 feeds, whilst Ella Powell-Davies had three deflections, an intercept, a rebound and four turnovers up the other end.

Surrey Storm have a full week off before taking on last placed Celtic Dragons on Monday night at the Sport Wales National Centre, whilst Waaps have a two-week break before reconvening on Monday, April 4 for a visit to the University of Essex where they take on Saracens Mavericks.