Team Bath Netball secure dominant victory over London Pulse

An early win for Pulse on the transverse line saw them steal possession and Sigi Burger opened her account, slotting the first goal of the game. Imogen Allison went down in the opening few minutes with an injury and was replaced by Tash Pavelin. The Bath defenders did not skip a beat and were making it difficult for Ash Dekker to find Burger in good shooting position.

As the quarter progressed, Team Bath continued to be relentless - hunting for ball and punishing accurately at the post. However, the work rate from Pulse was high and pressure started to build with Zara Everitt and Halimat Adio providing opportunities and hustling the Bath attack.

The Pulse defence were working hard to win the ball but possession was being lost in the attacking third and Bath were able to push the scoreline out to 4-11. Olivia Tchine came in to goal shooter and faced a tough battle against Commonwealth Games gold medallist Eboni Usoro-Brown. The opening quarter was a tough start for Pulse, and they trailed by four goals to 14 at the first break.

Lefébre Rademan took to the court in the goal attack position for Pulse in the second quarter, using her speed to try and carve up the smothering Bath defence. Bath were putting on a masterclass in all areas of the court, making it extremely difficult for Pulse to bring the ball through to goal.

A quick passage of play saw Tchine find Rademan on the baseline and Pulse were able to add one more to the scoreboard, but the experience of the Bath defence shut down the next Pulse attacking drive and allowed Bath to extend their lead. At the half time break, Bath led 27-8 and were showing no signs of slowing down.

Pulse came into the second half with renewed intensity and passion, and co-captain Halimat Adio won an early ball to give her team a much-needed confidence boost. With Kira Rothwell and Sigi Burger combining in the goal circle, Pulse were finding more fluidity in attack and the first few minutes were goal for goal. Bath worked their way into the contest, with Summer Artman tussling with Burger under the post and coming out with more steals for her side.

Kira Rothwell came into her own and took on more of the shooting load, and the Pulse attacking line were able to convert some of their hard-earned turnover ball. Unfortunately, the scoreline from the first half meant Pulse were still on the back foot, and they were not able to get the game back within reach. At the end of the third quarter, Bath were ahead with 41 goals to 19, with all Bath shooters sitting on 100 per cent accuracy.

Wholesale changes for both sides in the final quarter saw several youngsters come on and make an impact, with Hannah Passmore earning her Superleague debut for Bath in the goal shooter position. The physicality continued and while Pulse showed huge improvements from the first half, Bath were in control and shutting down all options for the London side.

Pulse were being lured into traps by the intense pressure from Bath and were learning a lot of hard lessons out on court.  The final score was Bath 51 to London Pulse 29, and Bath continue their successful season. Pulse will look ahead to their next game against Rhinos and will be hoping to take some of the key learnings away from this difficult contest.

London Pulse Head Coach Sam Bird: "We’ve got great defensive pressure in our squad and if we can just tie the attacking unit up, once they start to click, we’ll be a force to be reckoned with."

Atlantic House Investments Player of the Match: Layla Guscoth (Team Bath Netball)

Match report from London Pulse

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