Sirens’ joy at maiden match despite defeat
SIRENS may have missed out on victory in their first-ever match in the Vitality Netball Superleague but their stellar performance gave much encouragement for the remainder of the season. Wasps claimed victory by 57-43 at a jam-packed Emirates Arena in Glasgow last night but Sirens did not make it easy for the English team, battling to the very last whistle.
Whatever last night’s result, the match was always going to be a landmark moment for netball in Scotland- Sirens are this country’s firstever professional netball team and they have overcome significant obstacles to reach this point.
A sell-out crowd of 4000, which included the wrestler Grado and Olympic rowing champion Katherine Grainger, as well as the Sky Sports television cameras, gave the evening a real sense of occasion and by the time Sirens’ captain, Claire Brownie, led her team onto the court, the atmosphere was electric.
However, their opening match against Wasps, one of the league favourites, was never going to give the Scots the opportunity to ease themselves into the league and so it proved. Wasps made the faster start of the two teams and in the opening minutes, it looked as if Sirens may be outclassed.
As the Scots shook off their nerves though, they drew level before sneaking ahead with a goal from Jamaican import, Carla Borrego to end the first quarter 13-12 ahead.
Wasps stepped up their intensity in the second quarter however and their increased physicality and sharpness of passing, coupled with a lapse in concentration from Sirens, resulted in a flurry of goals from the English side. Wasps went 13 points ahead and went into half-time 32-19 up, a gap that Sirens would find impossible to close. Despite the Scottish team rallying in the third and fourth quarters, Wasps were too strong and ultimately, claimed victory in relatively comfortable fashion.
For Sirens head coach, Gail Parata, it was not the start to the Superleague that she had wanted. “I’m obviously disappointed that we lost and I’m very disappointed in particular with the second quarter when we just couldn’t get a handle on the game,” she said. “Wasps got on top of us, they pushed us around and we let them. That’s a valuable lesson for the team- we can’t allow a gap like that to open.”
The loss has given Parata food for thought for the remainder of the season and even in the immediate aftermath of the game, she already knew what her team has to improve on in their coming matches. “Wasps were really physical and we didn’t do enough to shake them off. We were slow in our transition at times in both attack and defence and we didn’t get the ball into Carla (Borrego) enough when she was available so there’s a lot that we can work on. I’m pleased how we did in the second half though and the crowd were just awesome so what I’m most disappointed with is that we couldn’t get the win for them.”
For Wasps head coach, Tamsin Greenway, she was delighted that her team began their league campaign with a victory, especially against Sirens who she admits she was apprehensive about. “Sirens pushed us all the way and I never felt comfortable, even when we opened up a lead so I’m very happy to get the win,” she said. “It was a great atmosphere- there was so much noise and that’s why I don’t ever think I felt comfortable. It’s such a privilege for the players play in an arena like this.”
Olympic champion Katherine Grainger was in attendance in her role as patron of Netball Scotland and although she was understandably disappointed at witnessing Sirens lose their maiden match, she is hugely excited about the future of the sport in this country. “This is massive for women’s sport,” she said. “I know from my 20 years in professional sport that every time women have a breakthrough it makes a difference to girls watching and so this will make a real difference. The development of netball in this country has been just amazing and to see Sirens play in front of this huge crowd, as well as the television cameras, it’s just fabulous and very encouraging for the future.”