TeamBath responded to their first loss in 23 months with a morale-boosting win over Leeds Carnegie at Leeds Met University on Saturday.
The away side came into the contest in unfamiliar territory following their loss to Surrey Storm, while the hosts were looking to build on some un-rewarded performances in recent games.
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This made for an entertaining contest, fought amicably for three-quarters of the game by a Leeds side against a less than familiar TeamBath one.
An emphatic 17-goal winning margin in the final quarter ended Leeds’ resistance and ensured TeamBath returned home with the spoils.
TeamBath, starting the game with teenager Rosie Allison at goal shooter and Lindsay Keable at goal keeper, took the opening quarter by a single goal – 14-13 – with both sides having 16 attempts at goal in the first 15 minutes.
The second quarter, which saw the introduction of Asha Tett at goal attack for TeamBath, was also closely contested, with fewer opportunities resulting in it ending 10-10 (23-24).
TeamBath head coach Jess Garland made wholesale changes at half-time, introducing Kirsty Delves, Amanda Trounce and Sasha Corbin to the fray as she continued to try out various combinations.
It paid dividends, as the game began to go the way of the away side, who pulled away to 37-34 in the third.
The final quarter saw further change in personnel, and with it a change in gear from TeamBath, who had been given a thorough working out by Leeds in this Co-operative Netball Superleague game.
With Eboni Beckford-Chambers and Stacey Francis in commanding form in defence, TeamBath put together some immaculate and inspirational passages of play to sweep their opponents aside.
TeamBath coach Jess Garland admitted the game was just what her squad needed.
She said: “Our turnover through to goal was really good. We were quite clinical with our counter attack, and that put them on the back foot.
“At the moment we’re investing some time in making sure the whole squad can do a job for us. It’s not just about seven players, we’ve always been about strength in depth.
“Leeds really tested us and kept with us for the first three quarters of the game, but today was encouraging and we’re making progress.”
Marion Lofthouse, Leeds co-coach, thoroughly enjoyed the match.
“What a fantastic game of netball,” she said, echoing the thoughts of the two-hundred-odd fans at the game.
“The Leeds players will learn from this match.”
TeamBath return to action against Glasgow Wildcats at the University of Bath Sports Training Village on Friday 12th February at 7.30pm.
For ticket information for TeamBath’s home games, visit: www.teambath.com/netball/netball-performance/co-operative-superleague/
Nick Grounds, Sportsister
The Women’s Sport Magazine
