Netball Superleague: Team Bath ready for Surrey Storm and Manchester Thunder matches
Monday 16 March 2015 21:22, UK
Team Bath Netball coach Jess Thirlby says her improving squad should have no fear when they face the Superleague’s two top teams in the next week.
The Blue and Gold go to second-placed Surrey Storm on Tuesday March 17 before welcoming defending champions Manchester Thunder to the University of Bath Sports Training Village on Monday March 23, live on Sky Sports.
They will provide a huge test of Team Bath’s credentials after the three successive victories against Celtic Dragons, Loughborough Lightning and Team Northumbria.
But it was the manner of Friday’s 63-24 home win over Northumbria that Thirlby believes should give her players confidence ahead of their big week.
“We go into the next match as underdogs but sometimes that gives you a sense of freedom,” she said.
“We just have to make sure the next 15 minutes continue to be an improvement. It will be tough but the league is very open this season and that’s why we just have to focus on ourselves and what we are doing.”
Her thoughts were echoed by captain Asha Francis, who provided the inspiration for the comprehensive win over Northumbria with a Player of the Match performance.
“I feel like we are becoming more of a team and we are trying to stick to the game plan, which we really have to do in the next few games,” said the Goal Attack.
“They are going to be tough but we can take plenty of confidence from this run of wins, particularly our performances in the last two games.”
You can be at Team Bath v Manchester Thunder with Sky Tickets, or watch the match live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm on Monday March 23.
