Ahead of the 2018 Vitality Superleague League Season, Celtic Dragons took a trip over the border to face Severn Stars in Worcester in a pre-season friendly to conclude 2017. Dragons brought a squad of thirteen to face the Stars in a 6 x 10 minute warm-up match.
The first two periods began brightly for the visitors who proved themselves deft and skilful against an imposing Stars side. It was only a couple of loose passes that gifted the home side a two goal lead after twenty minutes.
Celtic Dragons’ management utilised the training match to introduce a different team each period, and perhaps it was this change in tempo that saw the players in green lose momentum in the third and fourth periods. Severn Stars took advantage of a loss of finesse from the Dreigiau and built a healthy score to which the visitors had no reply.
Nevertheless, Celtic Dragons were determined to bite back in the remaining two periods. A hungry side came out and made an immediate impact in the fifth period with the defence finding far more success in disrupting Stars’ attack. Indeed, Dragons were unfortunate not to win the final quarter as some decisions went against them.
All in all, despite the disappointment of the third and fourth periods, it was a great run out for both teams ahead of what will be a very challenging season. Many of the Dragons players had been involved in Wales’ Wendy White Series against Samoa, yet they did not show any signs of fatigue. Celtic Dragons now look forward to their season launch back in Wales, at Deeside Leisure Centre on 27 January against Manchester Thunder.
P1: Severn Stars: 8 Celtic Dragons 7; P2: 10-9 (18-16); P3: 12-8 (30-22); P4: 12-4 (42-26); P5: 9-7 (51-33); P6: 8-7 (59-40).
