Surrey Storm’s thrilling Fast5 Netball All-Stars run ended at the semi-final stage with defeat to defending champions Wasps.
The Golden Buzzer PowerPlay again proved crucial, as Rachel Dunn’s ten-point shot swung momentum in Wasps’ favour after Sophie Hankin had threatened to beat the Midlanders on her own with a stunning 20-point flurry.
Yet Dunn matched her all the way, and added two more long bombs after the PowerPlay to seal victory and a return to the final.
Storm had reached the final four after a thrilling victory against Celtic Dragons as the Welsh side threatened a stunning PowerPlay comeback.
Storm raced into an early 28-0 lead against the Welsh thanks to a combination of lethal shooting and strong defence. But Dragons, initially wayward with their own shooting, roared back with a superb PowerPlay which saw them close the gap to three points, 38-35.
Dragons twice hit the rim with potential go-ahead five-pointers but Hankin sealed the win with another nerveless triple.
Storm began the day with a 31-17 win against Saracens Mavericks thanks to some big shooting from Karyn Bailey – including a buzzer-beating PowerPlay 10-pointer – and Yas Hodge-England.
Mikki Austin had identified a semi-final place as her minimum requirement for the day, but Storm can be rightly proud not just of the two victories which brought them that far but also the impressive and hugely-prolific manner in which they earned them.
