Match report: Wasps Netball 49-35 Team Bath

Wasps Netball ended the regular season in style with a 49-35 win against Team Bath at the Ricoh Arena.

The win means Wasps Netball close the season having beaten every team in the Vitality Netball Superleague at least once.

Tamsin Greenway’s side pulled away from their visitors in the second quarter, building a huge advantage and setting the team up perfectly for their Final Four challenge next weekend.
Wasps Director of Netball Greenway said: “The game-plan worked out as I expected, I knew it was going to be tough today but I wanted to show that we could take the best defence in the league apart and I think we showed that.

“I really enjoyed how we fought back when we were put under pressure, we didn’t give them any chances to get back into the game We’ve beaten all the top teams now, we’ve played some really classy netball and I’m really pleased with how we ended the season here at the Ricoh and the crowd were just exceptional.”

“It’s going to be huge next weekend, we’re going to prepare properly this week and hopefully come out on top in Birmingham.”

The interplay of attacking trio Greenway, Nat Haythornthwaite and Rachel Dunn proved integral in the early stages, as Team Bath suffered a mistake-filled opening few minutes.

Wasps Netball captain Hannah Reid set the tone for her side, flying to the ball and forcing turnovers throughout the opening quarter.

Team Bath responded with their own physical approach, tightly marking Haythorthwaite and forcing Wasps to find other ways into the circle – where Eboni Beckford-Chamers and Dunn engaged in a veteran battle.

The second quarter saw the home side continue their strong start, with a barrage of quick-fires goal giving them a double digit advantage.

Chelsea Lewis impressed for the visitors, putting on an impressive shooting performance from long-range but it wasn’t enough to bring her team back with Wasps leading 30-18 at half-time.

Team Bath came out fired up after half-time but their physicality, particularly from goal defence Layla Guscoth, did not upset their host’s rhythm.

Wasps’ Bongi Msomi excelled in her new role at wing attack, picking holes in the Bath defence and feeding the circle.

Bath did all they could defensively to try and get back into the game but their enthusiastic approach resulted in more fouls than turnovers.

Rachel Dunn took over in the final quarter with a clinical shooting display, continuing to stretch the Wasps lead.

The fourth quarter also saw Lucy Parize enter the court for her Superleague debut to a huge ovation from the home crowd, as her team secured a 49-35 victory in their final home game of the season.

Wasps now turn their attention to the Final Four play-offs, which will take place at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham on June 10 and June 11.

For tickets to the Vitality Netball Superleague Final Four weekend visit www.englandnetball.co.uk

Attendance: 1358

Player of the match: Rachel Dunn

Q1: 17-8
Q2: 30-18
Q3: 40-26
Q4: 49-35

Wasps starting seven: GK Josie Huckle; GD Hannah Reid; WD Amy Flanagan; C Bongi Msomi; WA Tamsin Greenway; GA Natalie Haythornthwaite; GS Rachel Dunn

Used Substitutes: May (WD) Williams (GD)

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

Used Substitutes: Slater (GS) Williams (WD)