Bath edge out Sirens in thriller

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Last Updated: 22/03/19 10:56pm

Abi Robson and Bath had to dig deep to move back into the top four (Picture credit Bryn Vaile for Matchtight)

Abi Robson and Bath had to dig deep to move back into the top four (Picture credit Bryn Vaile for Matchtight)

Team Bath moved back into the top four and to within three points of the top of the table with a battling 51-47 victory over Strathclyde Sirens on Friday night.

Round 11 in the Vitality Superleague got underway at Team Bath Arena with Bath under pressure to keep pace with the top four, and they responded with a four-goal victory that sees them leapfrog Loughborough for 24 hours at least.

Lightning can retake fourth with a win over Severn Stars on Saturday, but Bath will still have a game in hand – which takes places against Stars on Monday night – so there can be no slip-ups in the chase for a top-four place.

And Bath started a busy period of three games in 11 days – although they had to do it the hard way, battling back having trailed at the end of the first quarter and again at half-time.

However a pivotal third quarter saw the hosts turn a 24-22 deficit into a 38-36 lead which they were able to hold onto and ultimately extend in a frantic final quarter that saw them seal a valuable three points.

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Catch up on the latest episode of Off the Court – Tamsin and Pamela are joined by Loughborough star shooter Mary Cholhok

Catch up on the latest episode of Off the Court – Tamsin and Pamela are joined by Loughborough star shooter Mary Cholhok

England star centre Serena Guthrie was back in the starting line-up having returned to the bench after injury in recent weeks, and the Roses mid-courter was key to the second half turnaround after Sirens made a blistering start.

The visitors showed no signs of fatigue following their latest trip south and with young shooters Beth Goodwin and Niamh McCall in impressive form in the absence of Cat Tuivaiti they hit the front early and by the end of the opening 15 minutes had opened up a 15-9 advantage.

But Sirens showed their class by winning each of the next three quarters, to eventually nudge their way to a hard fought victory – turnover ball in the third quarter proving pivotal.

Bath fought back from an early deficit to pick up a crucial victory over Sirens in the Superleague (Picture credit Bryn Vaile for Matchtight)

Bath fought back from an early deficit to pick up a crucial victory over Sirens in the Superleague (Picture credit Bryn Vaile for Matchtight)

“It’s not easy to come back against a classy side like Sirens so we’re happy to come out with the win but there is a lot of learning for us to take from the game,” said Guthrie who was named Player of the Match.

“I have to say thank you so much to the fans for getting behind the team in every game this year, it has been amazing – especially for me as I have been away for so long, I love being back out there in front of the Bath crowd.”

Vitality Netball Superleague – Round 11 Fixtures

Friday Team Bath vs Strathclyde Sirens 7.30pm
Saturday Manchester Thunder vs Wasps Netball 5pm
Severn Stars vs Lougborough Lightning 6pm
Saracens Mavericks vs Surrey Storm 6pm
Monday Celtic Dragons vs London Pulse 7pm – live on Sky Sports Mix
Team Bath vs Severn Stars Rearranged from Round 4

Sirens can take solace in an another spirited display that underlined their young team’s potential but they remain ninth in the table and without a win since Round Six.

Bath face Stars on Monday and then Surrey Storm as they look to cement their place in the top four and continue a return to form that has now seen them win four successive games since defeat to Wasps.

“We knew it was going to be tough and credit to the girls for grinding out the win and building from quarter to quarter,” said Bath head coach Anna Stembridge.

“I thought defensively we put in a great shift right across the court and I’m proud of the girls tonight.”

Watch more live Vitality Netball Superleague when Celtic Dragons host London Pulse on Monday, March 25 live on Sky Sports Mix & Action from 6.45pm. Also, Sky Sports will be showing every game of the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup in July.

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