R14: Bath Vs Rhinos

Team Bath Netball determined to regroup after wounded Rhinos inflict Spring Showdown setback during Superleague top-four race.

Anna Stembridge said she felt Easter Sunday’s Spring Showdown defeat to Leeds Rhinos was “a missed opportunity” to keep building momentum in the race for the Vitality Superleague play-off places.

A 64-54 reverse to Rhinos at Resorts World Birmingham ended a three-game winning run for the Haines Watts-sponsored Blue & Gold and saw them drop back to fifth in the table, three points behind Saracens Mavericks who they still have to face twice this season.

Rhinos had lost to Celtic Dragons on Saturday but held a four-goal lead after the first quarter on Sunday and maintained that gap during a high-scoring second period which was tied 18-18. Team Bath kept battling away but Rhinos were able to double their advantage during the crucial third quarter and went on to see out the win.

After the game, Team Bath Netball Superleague Head Coach Stembridge told Sky Sports: “It was an opportunity missed today. We knew Leeds would come out hard having lost that game yesterday and we actually spoke about how a wounded team can be a real threat.

“Credit to Leeds, they were really physical and I don’t think we dealt with being back-marked particularly well. We became quite hesitant having enjoyed quite a lot of flow in our recent games. We’ll regroup, go back to training and make sure we come out harder in our next game.”

PIC: Ben Lumley