Anna Stembridge says Team Bath have 'things to build on' after latest win
Monday 18 March 2019 17:29, UK
Team Bath Netball's head coach Anna Stembridge says that there are "still things we want to build on" after another close-fought contest in the Vitality Netball Superleague.
In front of the Sky Sports cameras in Round Nine, Team Bath played out a 64-60 victory over London Pulse and on Saturday they won by another narrow margin, 56-50, against Celtic Dragons.
The result kicked-off a run of three home Superleague games in nine days and Stembridge is looking for improvements as that schedule plays out.
"Ultimately we're pleased to get the win under our belts but there are still things we want to build on and put right," said Stembridge.
"We were too wasteful in terms of our turnover ball, particularly in the second quarter when we had an opportunity to pull away.
"You never feel comfortable in this league. No opponent is an easy one and we knew Dragons would be tough tonight, they've had some really good performances this season, so we are happy to get the points."
Team Bath made just one change to the starting seven that had faced London Pulse with Mia Ritchie starting at centre as Serena Guthrie continued her return to full fitness.
With just one goal apiece in the opening three minutes, it took a while for the contest to get going. The first period continued to be edgy with Team Bath twice making the most of turnovers to open up a three-goal lead before Dragons responded.
The scores were locked at 14-apiece when Guthrie was introduced for the second quarter and the Vitality Rose made an instant impact, particularly in defence with key interceptions.
Her efforts were matched by defenders Summer Artman and Eboni Usoro-Brown, as well as Imogen Allison and Rachel Shaw, as Team Bath began to make the most of their possession and scored seven unanswered goals.
Dragons fought back well to close the gap to 26-24 with three minutes of the second quarter remaining but another Guthrie intercept inspired a strong finish from the Blue & Gold to lead 30-25 at half-time.
In the third quarter Beryl Friday came on at GA and Sophie Drakeford-Lewis moved to GS. The hosts were looking to push on but instead it Dragons responded well and cut the lead to three.
The cat-and-mouse nature continued as Bath pulled away to 37-31 before Dragons replied through some fine finishing from Lucy Herdman and Kalifa McCollin.
Team Bath's lead was reduced to 43-40 going into the final quarter, which saw Abi Robson - who had come on during the third period - continue at WD and Ritchie return to C, while Drakeford-Lewis and Friday switched positions in attack.
A brilliant turnover from Robson, converted by Friday, got Team Bath off to the confident start they needed and they held their nerve to secure the six-goal victory.
Team Bath will now dust themselves off and prepare to host Strathclyde Sirens on Friday, March 22 before Severn Stars come to town on Monday, March 25.
Watch 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.
