Posted 27th Feb 2018

Team Bath Netball win derby at the death to maintain perfect start to 2018 Vitality Superleague season

Head Superleague Coach Anna Stembridge has praised her players’ “resilience and determination” after a goal in the dying seconds against West Country rivals Severn Stars maintained Team Bath Netball’s perfect start to the season.

An epic derby match at the University of Worcester on Monday saw the Sitec-sponsored Blue and Gold trail 39-36 going into the final quarter but draw level at 40-40, only for Stars to respond with three unanswered goals to seemingly regain the momentum.

Team Bath refused to accept defeat, though, and once again clawed their way back into the game thanks to some outstanding intercepts from Imogen Allison, Layla Guscoth and Eboni Beckford-Chambers.

The attacking players held their nerve at the other end of the court to make the most of those turnovers but the match looked to be heading to extra-time until, with less than ten seconds left on the clock, Chelsea Lewis netted the decisive goal to secure a dramatic 48-47 victory for the visitors.

Imogen Allison’s stunning intercept in the dying seconds set up Chelsea Lewis’ winning goal

“My voice is still recovering from all the shouting in the last quarter,” said Stembridge, whose side are one of three to have won all four of their matches so far this season.

“There are going to be games that go goal for goal, so for us to come out on the winning side shows the resilience and determination within this squad to absorb pressure and respond.

“Stars got a bit of a run on us in the second quarter and opened up a lead but we made a number of changes and that had a real impact on the game.

“We were absolutely outstanding in defence right across the court, winning ball at critical moments, and those crucial turnovers that we were able to convert into goals at the other end ultimately made the difference.”

The Blue and Gold’s busy period continues on Friday when they welcome UWS Sirens to the Team Bath Arena (centre-pass 7.30pm). The Scottish franchise recorded their first win of the season on Monday, beating Team Northumbria 45-40, and include former Team Bath players Claire Brownie, Rachel Dunn and Shantal Slater amongst their ranks.

The Sirens match is the second of three home games on successive Fridays for Team Bath, with the meeting against Manchester Thunder on March 9 now being televised live on Sky Sports.

Tickets for both the Sirens and Thunder matches are available by clicking here.

Team Bath Netball are sponsored by Sitec and supported by partners Mogers DrewettInvestigo and Netball South WestCenturion Chartered Financial Planners are supporting the team’s performance analysis capabilities, Viper 10 are their Sportswear Supplier and Skins provide the team with compression wear.

Match stats

Severn Stars starting 7: GS Eleanor Cardwell, GA Maryka Holtzhausen, WA Laura Rudland, C Laura Malcolm, WD Jodie Gibson, GD Samantha Cook, GK Phumza Maweni. Replacements: Rosie Allison, Sophie Carter, Amanda Davis, Dominque Ford-Gordon, Shona O’Dwyer.

Team Bath Netball starting 7: GS Kadeen Corbin, GA Sophie Drakeford-Lewis, WA Rachel Shaw, C Mia Ritchie, WD Imogen Allison, GD Layla Guscoth, GK Eboni Beckford-Chambers. Replacements: Asha Francis, Chelsea Lewis, Tash Pavelin, Paige Reed, Jess Shaw.

Quarter-scores: Q1 13-13. Q2 27-25 (14-12). Q3 39-36 (12-11). Q4 47-48 (8-12).

Other news articles

A photo of Team Bath Netball player Phoebe Maslen offloading the ball from her hands while under pressure from a London Pulse opponent, in front of a stand of supporters at the Team Bath Arena.
In-form Blue & Gold beat fellow high-fliers London Pulse on the road to move up to second in NXT Gen League table

Team Bath Netball moved up to second in the NXT Gen League table as they built on their victory over league leaders Loughborough Lightning by recording an excellent 61-52 away win at London Pulse. The teams went into Saturday’s...

Read More
A photo of Team Bath Netball players hugging, smiling and celebrating after their NXT Gen League extra-time victory over Loughborough Lightning in May 2025.
Brilliant Blue & Gold hold their nerve in extra-time to defeat table-topping Loughborough Lightning in NXT Gen League epic

A tremendous all-round performance saw Team Bath Netball inflict only a second defeat of the NXT Gen League season on table-topping Loughborough Lightning after an epic contest that gripped another capacity crowd at the Team Bath Arena. The Blue...

Read More
A graphic promoting The Big #BlueAndGold Bash which is being hosted by Team Bath Netball on Sunday 15th June 2025. It features the text 'Our players, our pathway, our region, our fans' and a call to action to book tickets.
Join us for The Big #BlueAndGold Bash – celebrating our players, our pathway, our region and our fans

Team Bath Netball fans are being invited to a special end-of-season party which marks not just the conclusion of the inaugural NXT Gen League campaign but a year of resilience, resurgence and remarkable performances across the South West pathway....

Read More
Team Bath Netball Sponsors
Partners and Suppliers