Team Bath 55 – 53 Wasps Netball

Wasps Netball’s unbeaten run came to an end with a 55-53 defeat against Team Bath – meaning they still need one more win to secure a Final Four spot.

Tamsin Greenway’s team stormed back in the final quarter but could not complete the comeback as time ran-out.

The loss ends a seven-match winning streak for Wasps and sees Team Bath move into joint fourth place in the Vitality Netball Superleague.

Greenway said: “We were out-played tonight. We gave ourselves way too much to-do going into the final quarter.

“Bath were outstanding defensively, they put real pressure on us and it worked for them. Unfortunately this probably wasn’t as big a game for us as it was for Bath, they have to keep winning everything and mathematically we need one more win.”

“We have four more games to win three more points, if we want to make the Final Four we have to win one of those games – it’s that simple.”

Team Bath started impressively on the defensive side of the ball, forcing two quick-fire interceptions within the first minute – with Eboni Beckford-Chambers impressing in the circle.

Wasps looked unsettled throughout the first quarter and Bath’s strong start saw them lead by four going into the second quarter.

Shantai Slater entered the court for Bath after the break and made an immediate impact, stretching the home team’s lead to 18-11.

Wasps started to mount a comeback midway through the quarter, but Team Bath quickly regained their foothold, putting on high-paced netball at both ends of the court.

George Fisher continued her impressive shooting form from her last game against Severn Stars, keeping the visitors in touching distance and holding the home-side to a two goal lead at half-time.

Amy Flanagan made her return to action from injury for the start of the second-half, but Slater continued to shine in the circle and quickly extended Team Bath’s lead back to seven.

The momentum stayed with Team Bath for the duration of the third quarter, with the home-side’s defensive intensity forcing turnovers.

Former Team Bath stars Rachel Dunn and Tamsin Greenway entered the court for Wasps for the final quarter.

The experienced duo combined well to pull their side back into the game, reducing the deficit to just five with five minutes to play.

Rachel Dunn found her form just at the right time and back-to-back goals from Natalie Haythornthwaite brought Wasps level, setting up a tense finish with just one minute to play.

Team Bath’s Layla Guscoth produced a fantastic interception to halt Wasps comeback and help her team hold on for a 55-53 victory.

Wasps Netball travel to face Manchester Thunder for their next fixture on Monday, May 15 (7.45pm centre-pass), before returning to the Ricoh Arena to play Surrey Storm on Monday, May 22 (8.00pm centre-pass).

Tickets for Wasps Netball vs Surrey Storm on May 22 start from £10 for adults while under-10s go free, and can be purchased from www.waspsnetball.co.uk/tickets.

Q1: 14-10
Q2: 27-25
Q3: 44-35
Q4: 55-53

Wasps starting seven: GK Josie Huckle; GD Hannah Reid ; WD Sam May; C Bongi Msomi; WA Lucy Harris; GA Nat Haythornthwaite ; GS George Fisher

Used Substitutes: Amy Flanagan (C) Tamsin Greenway (WA) Rachel Dunn (GS) Williams (GD)

Team Bath starting seven: GK Eboni Beckford-Chambers ; GD Layla Guscoth; WD Imogen Allison; C Mia Ritchie; WA Rachel Shaw; GA Laura Rudland; GS Chelsea Lewis

Used substitutes: Slater (GS) Jess Shaw (C) Vangelee Williams (WD)

Shooting stats:

Wasps Netball
Fisher – 30/32 (94%)
Haythornthwaite – 7/11 (64%)
Dunn – 16/16 (100%)

Team Bath
Lewis – 22/27 (81%)
Rudland – 0/1 (0%)
Slater – 33/36 (92%)