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Thunder hold off Team Bath
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Manchester Thunder

Match Details

12th May 2023
Round 17
Team Bath Netball Arena
Stats Report

Match Results

Watch On: Broadcaster Logo

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First Centre Pass

Amy Carter
Amy Carter Manchester Thunder View profile

Team Stats

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Performance Stats

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Thunder hold off Team Bath

12th May 2023 by Netball Super League

Iona Christian and Phoebe Maslen battle for the ball

Manchester Thunder edged past Team Bath Netball 67-63 in a close-fought contest.

Team Bath produced arguably their best performance of the season but came up just short against the defending champions.

Cheered on by a 1,700-strong crowed at the Team Bath Arena, the home side took a 38-33 lead into half-time but Thunder used all of their experience to claw their way back into the game before putting the game to bed in the last few minutes.

Asha Francis, Team Bath Netball Head Coach, said: “I am incredibly proud of the performance and the whole squad, especially in the second-half when we knew Thunder would come back firing.

"We didn’t let them blast out the scoreline or take control, we kept with them right to the end and gave it everything we got. We adapted, stayed connected and had the freedom to really go for it in the last quarter.”

Nineteen-year-old Phoebe Maslen, voted as Most Valuable Player following an outstanding home debut at wing-defence, added: “Today was such a thrilling experience, especially with the noise from the home fans. I loved it. We all worked really hard and showed what we can do against a top team like Thunder.”

Team Bath were determined to put on a show for the home fans and signalled their intent in the opening seconds with a fantastic interception from Jayda Pechova. The goal keeper – one of three teenagers in the Blue & Gold starting combination – produced another turnover soon after to spark a run of five successive goals for the hosts.

Betsy Creak and Sophie Kelly were shooting with confidence and also winning the rebounds as Team Bath maintained their advantage before Thunder, spearheaded by former Blue & Gold goal-shooter Lenize Potgieter, gradually eased their way back into the game.

They edged ahead with three minutes of the first quarter remaining but could only take an 18-17 lead into the break and found themselves behind again when Team Bath forced the first turnover of the second period.

The hosts were in tenacious mood, epitomised by Ali Wilshier when she saw a feed go long but won the ball back from the restart and immediately teed up Creak for another fine finish.

Outstanding debutant Maslen, centre Bethan Dyke and captain Lily-May Catling were also forcing Thunder into errors as supremely-confident finishing from all round the circle by the excellent Kelly kept Team Bath’s noses in front.

They weren’t quite able to put ground between themselves and Thunder until the closing couple of minutes when Team Bath capitalised fully on a couple of turnovers to stretch their half-time lead to 38-33, winning perhaps their best quarter of the season 21-15.

The hosts looked set to carry that form into the third quarter as they quickly stretched their advantage to seven goals but the introduction of South African international Shadine Van Der Merwe and the vastly-experienced Emma Dovey into the Thunder defence began to have a big impact.

It was Thunder who were now forcing the turnovers and they scored 10 of the next 11 goals to flip the game on its head. However, with the home crowd roaring them on and Caroline Mtukule and Kadeen Corbin making an impact off the bench, Team Bath were able to slow the visitors’ momentum and were just 51-50 behind going into the final quarter.

Team Bath scored the first two goals of that period but Thunder were able to respond and opened up a four-goal advantage, only for the home side to come back once again. They cut the gap to one and had the ball in hand but were not quite able to level, giving the visitors the chance to finally grab some breathing space.

The lead was six with a minute to go but the Blue & Gold finished strongly and three quickfire Creak goals ensured the final scoreline reflected their brilliant efforts.

Report supplied by Team Bath Netball.

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Team Bath Netball Manchester Thunder