Celtic Dragons headed into the Vitality Netball Superleague break mid-season break after some encouraging team performances.

Leaders Wasps have won eight successive matches and are clear at the top, while Dragons have won two of their six fixtures played.

Playing Wasps away in their last game before the break was a massive test, but there was plenty of effort and intensity from the Dragons.

Tamsin Greenway’s Wasps won 74-32 thanks to a dominant defensive performance at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Wasps are the only unbeaten team remaining in the Superleague and go into a month-long break clear at the top.

“You can’t deny what we did out there tonight, it was a really impressive performance,” said Greenway.

“We had two quarters where Dragons only scored five or six which is pretty impressive. You could see the combinations growing out there on the court.

“It was pleasing to be able to give the likes of Monique Thompson a chance to shine. It was a really solid performance from start to finish.

“We’re delighted to be going into the break with eight wins from eight. We’ll get a good week off and then start building up the training for our math against Team Bath after the month break.”

Wasps Netball moved the ball quickly in the opening stages to unlock Dragons’ defence, who worked hard to stop passes reaching George Fisher.

Hannah Reid starred early on, highlighted by a flying interception, followed by a quick passing exchange to set-up a Fisher goal.

By the close of the first quarter, it was clear that the home team’s shooters had put aside their struggles from their last game, as Wasps pushed to an 18 goal lead.

Lucy Harris replaced Greenway to start the second quarter, the first action of the season for the 22-year-old.

Wasps continued to build their lead at a rapid pace, capitalising on defensive errors.

Eleanor Roberts’ long range shooting proved to be the only real success for Dragons, who struggled to develop clear-cut opportunities against the stout Wasps defence – limiting Dragons to just 16 goals in the first half.

Goal attack Monique Thompson entered the court for her first senior Wasps’ appearance in the third quarter, as Greenway utilised her squad for the second half.

Thompson started her Wasps career in style with impressive shooting accuracy, but Dragons played with more intensity after half-time, slowing Wasps’ overall attack.

Defender Halimat Adio was introduced for the final quarter, making her debut.

Dragons coach Julie Hoornweg made changes in the Welsh club’s attack, but there was no way back against a powerful Wasps team.

This match at Wasps will, without doubt, be the toughest fixture Dragons face this season and they will be stronger for the experience as the Wales players turn to the Commonwealth Games.

Wasps starting seven: GK Sam May; GD Hannah Reid; WD Amy Flanagan; C Sophia Candappa; WA Tamsin Greenway; GA Rachel Dunn; GS George Fisher. Used Substitutes: Lucy Harris (C) Josie Huckle (GK) Monique Thompson (GA) Fran Williams (GD) Halimat Adio (GD)

Dragons starting seven: GK Kelly Morgan; GD Leila Thomas WD Nia Jones; C Kyra Jones; WA Bethan Dyke; GA Sarah Llewelyn; GS Cara-lea Moseley. Used substitutes: Moseley (GA) Roberts (GS) Bell (GS).

Hoornweg and her Wales team are now focused on playing in pool B at the Commonwealth Games against New Zealand, England, Scotland, Malawi and Uganda in what promises to be a tough, but exciting tournament.

Hoornweg will be assisted by assistant coach Natalie Peperell and team manager Lavinia Baker. Both Hoornweg and Peperell hold the same positions with Celtic Dragons.

Commonwealth Games netball groups:

Pool A: Australia, Jamaica, South Africa, Barbados, Fiji, Northern Ireland.

Pool B: New Zealand, England, Malawi, Wales, Scotland, Uganda.

World netball rankings: 1 Australia; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4 Jamaica; 5 South Africa; 6 Malawi; 7 Uganda; 8 Northern Ireland; 9 Scotland; 10 Wales; 11 Barbados; 12 Fiji.

Welsh netball squad for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia: Fern Davies, Suzy Drane, Bethan Dyke, Kyra Jones, Nia Jones, Chelsea Lewis, Sarah Llewelyn, Kelly Morgan, Cara Lea Moseley, Georgia Rowe, Leila Thomas, Amanda Varey.

Wales pool matches at the Commonwealth Games: 

April

Friday 6 Wales v New Zealand

Saturday 7 Scotland v Wales

Monday 9 England v Wales

Tuesday 10 Wales v Uganda

Wednesday 11 Malawi v Wales