ERRORS in the second quarter cost Severn Stars in their Vitality Netball Superleague season opener which saw them crash 70-49 to Saracens Mavericks.

Despite a bright start as Stars went ahead by six, a 16-goal swing to Mavericks gained an advantage which ultimately the Worcester side could not recover from.

The Arena Birmingham hosted the Super10 event where all 10 teams played under the same roof in one day.

The new-look Stars side were quick out of the blocks in the first quarter and crucial turnovers helped edge out an early lead.

Stars’ attack of Georgia Rowe, Paige Reed and new signing Liana Leota linked together well down court enabling their goals to go in.

And Stars goal keeper Towera Vinkhumbo made a number of intercepts, ensuring they finished the quarter strongly with a 17-11 lead.

The second quarter saw unchanged sides but a string of errors from Stars allowed Mavericks back to draw level thanks to a strong defensive performance.

Stars lost too much ball and did not turn over enough.

New head coach Melissa Bessell changed Lucy Harris at centre for another new signing Bethan Dyke to find answers but Mavericks extended their lead to 34-25.

After the half-time interval early goals from Stars saw them try hard to close the gap but Mavericks’ defence had other plans, disrupting feeds into the circle with Leota unable to find goal shooter Rowe at times.

Ella Powell-Davies came on at goal defence for Ama Agbeze and Vinkhimbo continued to try to stop the flow of Mavericks’ attacks with some flying intercepts.

Stars were able to get more goals with a high percentage of shots but another strong quarter from Mavericks found England Roses shooter Georgina Fisher under the post, finishing the quarter 53-37 up.

Neither sides made changes going into the final quarter which was a goal-for-goal affair with Reed finding confidence in long-range shots but Mavericks getting some early turnovers.

Stars' mid-court of Welsh internationals Nia Jones and Dyke connected well with Leota who was able to find shooters but at times the ball fell short of the net.

Patches of quick play in attack from a well-established Mavericks team, who were able to link with their shooters Fisher and Kadeen Corbin, eased out the match 70-49.

Bessell said: “The first quarter was outstanding and a great game to watch.

"We learnt a lot as a team, understanding that when you’re playing teams of this calibre and you’re doing as well as you are they’re going to come back at you with a hard plan and we didn’t make any adjustments for that.

"We have lots to work on moving forward to the Manchester game next week.”

Stars next face Manchester Thunder at the University of Worcester Arena on Saturday.