Anna Stembridge's side record 51-35 win to move into fourth spot in the Vitality Superleague table after Loughborough Lightning stun Manchester Thunder
Wednesday 9 May 2018 22:03, UK
Team Bath kept up their hopes of reaching the end-of-season play-offs as they made light work of Severn Stars on a scorching Bank Holiday Monday.
Team Bath, who were well beaten against benecos Mavericks last Sunday, hit back with a confidence-boosting win against Celtic Dragons on Friday before following it up against Stars.
They were proving more clinical in front of goal as they built up a 14-9 lead by the end of the first quarter.
It was a nervy start to the second quarter for the home side in a physical and feisty encounter as Stars closed the gap on their opponents to 25-22.
But Stars lost their intensity in the third quarter as Team Bath opened up a 40-28 lead after coming out faster and more clinical in attack.
Eboni Beckford-Chambers, Layla Guscoth, and Kadeen Corbin were proving instrumental figures as Team Bath completed a 51-35 win to keep a frustrated Stars stuck on six points.
Player of the match Guscoth told Sky Sports: "We've had a couple of tough runs and it was boiling today so I'm glad we got the win. It's great to play with Beckford-Chambers. She is the force at the back, but everybody dug deep and drove hard."
"Credit to Stars, but I was really pleased with how the girls responded in the third quarter," head coach Anna Stembridge said. "It's really important in terms of building that momentum and confidence and what's been pleasing is that we're getting points as well as goals."
Stars' head coach Sam Bird said: "We only scored 13 goals in that second half, but to be fair the Bath defence was very strong in that circle and we just didn't create any movement. They shut down on space and we were unable to find the space we needed."
Team Bath travel to Surrey Storm in their next encounter, while Severn Stars take on benecosMavericks with both matches being played on Saturday, May 12.
In the day's other games, Loughborough Lightning recorded a superb 62-56 victory at Manchester Thunder, while Surrey Storm produced a convincing 70-42 victory against Celtic Dragons. Team Northumbria edged bottom side UWS Sirens 47-42 in the late match.
Our next live coverage from the next Vitality Superleague is between Celtic Dragons and Loughborough Lightning on Monday, May 14. We get underway from 6.45pm on Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Mix, channel 121, which is free for all Sky customers.
Follow the 2018 Superleague season with us on Sky Sports via our new dedicated news & video section on our app or via our website skysports.com/Netball and our Twitter account @SkyNetball - #BelieveTheHype
