Massive match in Manchester as Blue & Gold face Thunder on penultimate weekend of 2019 Vitality Superleague season
Second plays third this weekend as Team Bath Netball head to Manchester Thunder for a huge top-four clash in the penultimate round of the 2019 Vitality Superleague season.
With just six points separating second-placed Thunder and Saracens Mavericks in fifth with two games to go, both Saturday’s hosts and the Sitec-sponsored Blue & Gold will be determined to get a victory during a tight and tense race for the semi-finals.
The match – which starts at 5pm at Wright Robinson College – is the last of four fixtures being played on Saturday. The other two with an impact on the top four – Loughborough Lightning’s visit to London Pulse and Mavericks’ televised home meeting with Severn Stars – both get under way at 4pm.
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Goals for | Goals against | Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasps Netball | 18 | 15 | 3 | 1092 | 844 | +248 | 42 |
| Manchester Thunder | 18 | 13 | 5 | 1111 | 913 | +198 | 39 |
| Team Bath Netball | 18 | 13 | 5 | 999 | 933 | +66 | 39 |
| Loughborough Lightning | 18 | 13 | 5 | 1047 | 1022 | +25 | 39 |
| Saracens Mavericks | 18 | 12 | 6 | 1039 | 881 | +158 | 36 |
| Severn Stars* | 18 | 7 | 11 | 888 | 933 | -45 | 18 |
| Celtic Dragons | 18 | 6 | 12 | 930 | 1043 | -113 | 18 |
| Surrey Storm | 18 | 6 | 12 | 906 | 1026 | -120 | 18 |
| Strathclyde Sirens | 18 | 3 | 15 | 803 | 995 | -192 | 9 |
| London Pulse | 18 | 2 | 16 | 889 | 1114 | -225 | 6 |
| * Stars deducted 3 points for fielding ineligible player | |||||||
Team Bath will be looking to take inspiration from their previous meeting with Thunder this season, an excellent 60-56 victory during a high-quality contest at the Team Bath Arena in March which kick-started a run of eight wins from ten for the Blue & Gold.
Both Team Bath and Thunder go into the match looking to bounce back from Easter Sunday defeats, against Mavericks and Lightning respectively.
Whatever happens this weekend, there will be plenty riding on Team Bath’s final match of the regular Superleague season – their home game against newcomers London Pulse on Saturday, May 4 (6pm).
Tickets are selling fast for the game and we need a big crowd to get behind the Blue & Gold, so don’t miss out – click here to purchase or call 0844 888 4412.
Team Bath Netball are sponsored by Sitec and supported by partners Mogers Drewett, Soldi and Netball South West. Centurion Chartered Financial Planners are supporting the team’s performance analysis and people development capabilities, Viper 10 are their Sportswear Supplier and Skins provide the team with compression wear.
