By Joe Tunney
USW netball 2nds repelled a last-ditch comeback bid by Gloucester 4ths to win a thriller at the Sport Park.
The hosts hung on despite some sterling attempts at overhauling them on the scoreboard by Gloucestershire goal shooter Tara Boonark.
The match started with Boonark shining. She replied within 30 seconds to an early Madi Neye goal for USW to ensure that the hosts were not ahead for long.
Boonark used her height extremely well and finished the quarter with seven points to her name.
Jazz Mulcock also shone in the centre for Gloucestershire during the first quarter, continually sending the ball high into the goal circle for the ever-present Boonark to claim and send through the hoop.
Keira Aitken was introduced for USW at the beginning of the second quarter and soon made her presence felt.
Aitken and Neye caused carnage for the Gloucestershire defence, teaming up to brilliant effect and put the home side in command at halfway.
Pic: Ieuan Miles
Becks Anderson was the key to USW’s success in the third quarter. She constantly won the ball back in the middle of the field and enabled the home side to start attacks.
USW’s goalkeeper Deanna Jacks played a massive part in preventing Boonark from continuing her prolific scoring.
Jacks regularly beat the Gloucestershire shooter to the ball and helped maintain their five-goal lead at the end of the third quarter.
The final quarter began with the score 37-33 to the home side, but the visitors came out of the blocks firing.
It was Boonark, the matches highest scoring player, who pulled three goals back for the visitors.
And when Ellie Walsh sent one through the hoop with 10 minutes to go the score was level.
However, in the final 10 minutes Neye secured the points for USW by having the last word in the scoring sequence.