Blue & Gold strike Thunder down well
A dominant performance from start to finish ensured Team Bath became the only unbeaten side remaining in the Netball Superleague after comprehensively beating rivals Manchester Thunder.
Following a fortnight break from action, the Blue & Gold won every quarter to record a 60-35 win over Thunder on Friday evening to make it four wins out of four.
The Haines-watt sponsored side were maybe expecting a tougher evening’s action as they faced the only other side unbeaten so far this season.
But reigning champions Thunder were stunned by an impressive onslaught from a Team Bath side who were missing head coach Anna Stembridge who is isolating after a family member developed potential Covid-like symptoms.
Jo Vann took charge of the side and said: “It’s a strong message for sure, but we are also conscious there’s some more big games coming our way. It’s important we take it one at a time. Absolutely delighted with the performance and the scoreline. Excellent efforts in defence, the turnovers created, the ball we won across the court, really proud of the performance, and the whole wider squad who contributed vocally out there.”
Player of the Match Kim Borger was delighted with the victory and said not having their head coach in the building was not a significant disadvantage: “Anna being Anna she planned for this, months and months ago so we had that plan in the mix. We still had her here, on the ipad at quarter-time and the half-time huddle, very much present. We didn’t let it affect us on the court.”
Rengen-sponsored Team Bath started with Borger alongside the in-form Sophie Drakeford-lewis a duo who went on to record a 100 per cent shooting stat in the match.
Rachel Shaw was favoured at wingattack and Eboni Usoro Brown started at goal-keeper, testament to her continuing return to form after the birth of baby daughter, Savannah.
It was actually Thunder who started the brighter and raced into an early lead. They led throughout the opening exchanges but seemed to lose some rhythm when Emma Dovey needed to be replaced in the first quarter after an injury.
This required a re-shaping of their line-up and Team Bath were able to capitalise. Inspired by Borger, who was very impressive in ‘owning’ the baseline and grateful for a key turnover from Layla Guscoth as they drew level. Team Bath then went on to hold a narrow 12-11 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
In the second 12 minute period, Thunder grew increasingly frustrated as they had no answer to Team Bath’s guile and slickness in all areas of the court. Borger, together with Drakeford-lewis, worked wonders in the shooting circle as they scored nine times without reply. With Thunder getting their only joy from wide areas, Team Bath did real damage and led 28-19 at half-time.
The third quarter was always going to be crucial, but if Team Bath expected a reinvigorated and refreshed Thunder side after the break, it didn’t happen as again they dominated. Guscoth was brilliant at times, whilst Drakefordlewis often found herself uncontested in the first phase of play allowing Team Bath to continue to pile on the pressure.
Off the ball, Imogen Allison was tireless at wing-defence in neutralising her opponent and Guthrie dominated at centre.
Again it was a 16-7 quarter victory for Team Bath who led 44-26 at the end of the third. In the final quarter, Betsy Creak replaced Borger at shooter and Jess Shaw replaced her sibling at wing-attack whilst Robson replaced Allison at wing-defence.
And, it was the same story in the final 12 minutes as Team Bath played exceptional netball. Thunder once again lost a player through injury as Rebekah Airey limped off, but they continued to fall short in the key battles.
Team Bath ran out 60-35 winners in the end against an increasingly dispirited opposition.
Vann said: “It’s testament to Anna’s excellent coaching that the team could play like that. She empowered us to go out and do that.”
Borger, who scored 39 goals from 39 shots, knows that this evening’s result has sent a strong message to their title rivals: “We’ve got a target on our back now. I say bring it on. We’re up for the challenge, as you can see tonight, a 25-point win in a top of the table clash. Expect exciting things from us.”