NSL 2024: SEVERN STARS v LONDON PULSE – MATCH PREVIEW
By Paul Prenderville
Who – Severn Stars v London Pulse
When – Friday April 26, 7.30pm – live on BBC iPlayer
Where – University of Worcester Arena, Worcester
First Meeting – London Pulse 47-54 Severn Stars, Copper Box, Round 5
London Pulse head for the West Country in Round 11 of the Superleague, taking on Severn Stars with the aim of putting right one of their more disappointing performances of the season.
Back in Round 5, Stars took advantage of a slow start from Pulse and recorded a 54-47 win at the Copper Box.
That win kept Stars ahead of Pulse in the Superleague table, but since then it is Sam Bird’s side who have strengthened their hold on a top four spot and moved into third place on the back of a five-game winning run that has delighted the head coach.
“We’ve been able to show different types of wins, and against Bath the Pulse attack controlled the game,” Bird said after victory over Team Bath in Round 10.
“It also showed that we are able to step up a notch in other areas of the court. When we link up the two we are going to be very very dangerous if it connects nicely.”
While Stars might have been the last team to beat Pulse, they have been on something of an indifferent run themselves, winning two of the five games since victory at the Copper Box.
Defeats to Loughborough Lightning, Manchester Thunder and Cardiff Dragons means they have dropped to fourth, six points adrift of Pulse and only three clear of improving Surrey Storm in fifth.
Despite their opponents indifferent run of form, Bird is expecting another tough test against a physical Stars outfit and while revenge may be too strong, righting some wrongs from that March performance is certainly at the forefront of preparations.
“Our pre match talk against Bath we said about putting out a performance that we want to carry into the Stars game,” Bird added.
“We put out that level of performance. Stars will be a much more physical match, I was up in Manchester to watch them up close against Thunder and they showed again they are not afraid to come in hard on the body
“We will need to be physically ready to do that but we go into the game excited about what we can do.”
The 12 remains unchanged with training partners Isla May and Jada Autumn in the squad whilst Brie and Jade continue their RTP.
Pulse will be looking to build on an impressive attacking display against Team Bath last time out, when they fell just short of setting a new franchise record of 77 goals.
With Liv Tchine firing on all cylinders and up to fourth in the top shooters standings, and Nichole Taljaard joining Berri Neil in providing stellar support – the Roses shooter is hoping to carry that form into another huge contest.
“We are going up there to do our own job. It wasn’t our best performance against them but at the same time stars came firing,” said Tchine when reflecting on defeat to Jo Trip’s team.
“We weren’t quite prepared and we need to start stronger. From the first whistle we were up against it and it wasn’t good enough and stars took advantage of us – rightly so.
“It’s not revenge but we want to make sure we turn that result around.”
NEXT FIVE FIXTURES
Round 12 – Leeds Rhinos, Home (Crystal Palace Arena)
Round 13 – Surrey Storm, Home (live on Sky Sports YouTube)
Round 14 – Strathclyde Sirens, Away
Round 15 – Cardiff Dragons, Home
Round 16 – Manchester Thunder, Away
THE OPPONENTS – SEVERN STARS
Head Coach: Jo Trip
This Season: 4th (W6 D0 L4 F574 A523 Pts 18)
Form (Last 6 Games) – W L W W L L
Last Time Out – Lost 46-61 v Manchester Thunder (A), Round 10
Starting Seven: GK – Trip; GD – Powell-Davies; WD – Cooper; C – Marshall; WA – Shaw; GA – Rademan; GS – Burger.
HISTORY
Joined the Superleague in 2017, as one of three new franchises. Based originally at the University of Gloucester and the University of Worcester they finished eighth in their debut season.
Under Jo Trip – in her first Superleague head coaching role – they equalled their best ever season in 2023 when they came 6th, a feat also achieved in 2018. An achievement as it came just 12 months on from finishing bottom of the 2022 NSL.
SEASON SO FAR
Just like in Round 5, Stars come into the game against Pulse on the back of defeat to Manchester Thunder. Jasmine Brown and Susie Liverseidge both missed out and will hope to return to a Stars squad that are mounting their first realistic push for the top four places.
Suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season over the last two rounds, losing to Lightning as well as Thunder and its three defeats from their last five games since the win over Pulse.
SQUAD – Jas Brown, Jo Trip, Rebekah Airey, Ella Powell-Davies, Niamh Cooper, Ashleigh Dekker. Gabby Marshall, Jess Shaw, Suzie Liverseidge. Lafabre Rademan, Betsy Creak, Sigi Burger.
HEAD TO HEAD
Played – 9; London Pulse – 7. Severn Stars – 2.
Stars won the first meeting this season, to end Pulse’s winning run and record only their second victory against the alonson franchise.
However Pulse have enjoyed a strong record against Stars down the years, including a league double in each of the past three seasons.
Pulse’s last win was a thrilling 56-50 at the University of Worcester last season, while the first meeting between the teams will always have a place in franchise history. It was Pulse’s first ever NSL fixture and victory, 51-49 success in Birmingham for the 2019 season opener.
Last 5 meetings
Round 5, 2024 – London Pulse 47-54 Severn Stars
Round 13, 2023 – Severn Stars 50-56 London Pulse
Round 3, 2023 – London Pulse 63-50 Severn Stars
Round 16 2022 – Severn Stars 38-53 London Pulse
Round 6, 2022 – London Pulse 64-35 Severn Stars
ROUND 11 FIXTURES
Friday, 7pm – Cardiff Dragons v Strathclyde Sirens
Saturday, 4pm – Saracens Mavericks v Team Bath
Saturday, 6pm – Surrey Storm v Manchester ThunderSunday, 4pm – Leeds Rhinos v Loughborough Lightning – live on Sky Sports YouTube