Team Bath Netball look to bounce back from Storm setback against Yorkshire Jets
Team Bath Netball will once again be looking to demonstrate their bouncebackability when they welcome struggling Yorkshire Jets to the University of Bath Sports Training Village on Friday (7.45pm).
The Blue and Gold – backed by Carter Jonas – were beaten 54-42 by Vitality Netball Superleague play-off rivals Surrey Storm last weekend, with an 18-9 first-quarter deficit proving too big to turn around.
It was Team Bath’s third defeat of the season but they produced strong responses on the two previous occasions to hit back with home wins, something they will be looking to repeat in front of another four-figure crowd this week.
Head coach Anna Stembridge said: “The damage was done in the first quarter on Saturday – we knew Storm would come out hard from the outset but we were just too tentative in that opening period.
“There were some real positives, though. The other three quarters were evenly contested and it was great that Sam Cook got some more court time under her belt.
“Her involvement so far has been restricted as she comes back from injury but it was pleasing to see her form a strong partnership with Eboni Beckford-Chambers. That allowed us to push Karla Mostert into wing-defence and that combination certainly had an impact.
“We are still building as a squad and a team, still trying out different things as we strive to become the finished article. There will be setbacks along the way but we have bounced back well from our previous defeats and will look to do so again.”
South African international defender Mostert (pictured above) added: “We are still aiming for the four consistent quarters but I have no doubt that will come, we just need to keep on going hard and working hard as we do.
“The next game against Jets will be a great opportunity to right the wrongs and move forward even more.”
Jets, captained by former Team Bath stalwart Stacey Francis, have lost their opening eight matches of the season but their performances have been improving and they went mighty close to beating table-topping Manchester Thunder recently.
Tickets – priced £10 for adults, £7 concessions and £28 for a family ticket – are selling fast for the game, Team Bath’s penultimate home fixture of the regular 2016 season.
To purchase tickets for Jets or the televised Celtic Dragons match on Easter Monday (March 28), visit www.teambath.com/events/ticketline or call 0844 888 4412.
Friday’s Jets match – sponsored by King Edward’s School, Bath – will be preceded by a National Performance League (NPL) fixture for Team Bath’s development squad against Team South Tigers. It starts at 5.15pm and entry is free.
