Northumbria Slip To Fourth Straight Loss

Team Northumbria are still searching for a first Netball Superleague win of the season after a shaky second quarter allowed UWS Sirens to seize control north of the border.

The Sport Central club head into Monday night’s live Sky Sports clash against Mavericks rock bottom of the top flight.

And a 45-40 reverse against the previously winless Sirens was TN’s most disappointing defeat yet - hot on the heels of a thumping pre-season victory against the same opposition last month.

Keenan headed north of the border full of confidence after picking out the positives from a gutsy performance against Manchester Thunder last Friday.

But any early optimism evaporated as Sirens sensed an opportunity to get their own season up and running.

Sophie Hankin replaced Tamsin Moala in attack following Friday night’s all-action performance off the bench at Thunder.

And Northumbria University criminology student Iman Thomas earned her place in the starting seven at wing defence.

But all eyes were on ex-TN favourite Leah Kennedy as the England international lined up against her former club for the first time.

The Darlington-born star started at goal defence and immediately found herself under pressure as the visitors roared into a 13-9 first quarter lead.

Keenan must have hoped her busy team had laid the foundations for a solid first half.

But the Kiwi playcaller couldn’t account for a stunning Sirens comeback and the Glasgow-based franchise had turned the match on its head by the break.

TN conceded the first five goals of the second quarter and struggled to contain a full-on Scots assault.

Sirens took the period 13-6 and were well worth their 24-19 half-time lead – with Keenan facing some tough decisions during the break.

TN failed to reduce the deficit during a frustrating third quarter and with 15 minutes on the clock trailed by six.

Staring down the barrel at a fourth defeat on the bounce, the visitors required a lightning start to the final period.

But Sirens were in no mood to loosen their grip and scored the first two goals of the quarter to extend their lead to eight.

TN trimmed the deficit at the death but the wait goes on for a first Superleague scalp of the 2018 season.