MVP Charlotte Watts coolly nets extra-time winner as Team Bath Netball edge past Mavericks again in another NXT Gen League thriller
A nerveless finish from player of the match Charlotte Watts sealed a dramatic extra-time victory for Team Bath Netball in Bristol after another NXT Gen League thriller against London Mavericks.
Team Bath had rallied from seven goals down in the final quarter to win 52-51 when the teams last met in March but this time it was Mavericks who come from behind to make it 53-53 with 20 seconds of regular time remaining at Clifton College’s Chellaram Sports Complex.
The visitors – who had trailed by three or four goals at the end of each previous quarter – also had the centre pass but Team Bath were able to turn it over in the dying seconds to ensure the scores remained deadlocked.
With no draws in the league, the game continued into sudden death extra-time and it was Team Bath who came out on top, goal-attack Watts coolly finding the net to open up the required two-goal gap and spark joyous scenes of celebration on the court and in the stands.
It was an electric conclusion to another absorbing NXT Gen League contest and moves Team Bath up to fourth in the table, just three points behind Leeds Rhinos and London Pulse in second and third respectively.
Daisy Harrison made her first start of the season at GK, while fellow defenders Poppy Tydeman and Lottie Robinson both made big impacts from the bench to force some key errors from a Mavericks attack led by England Roses international George Inger (nee Fisher).
Dani Carr came on at GS in the second quarter to provide a tall target for Team Bath’s feeders and had an excellent impact, scoring with 21 of her 23 attempts. Watts netted 20 times from 21 shots as Team Bath produced their best shooting stats of the season overall with a 90 per cent success rate.
The Blue & Gold’s two remaining home fixtures are both at the Team Bath Arena and tickets are selling fast for the next fixture against league leaders Loughborough Lightning on Saturday 17th May (3pm), with around 50 seats remaining.
Team Bath will conclude their home campaign and the season overall against Leeds Rhinos on Sunday 15th June (3pm). Tickets for both matches are available to purchase at netball.teambath.com/tickets.
Team Bath Netball are supported by Bath Building Society and Rengen Developments, who are both overall Team Bath Partners, and Bath Recreation Limited. Flyhawk supply Team Bath Netball’s performance clothing and off-court apparel.
Match stats
Team Bath Netball starting combination: GK Daisy Harrison, GD Scarlett Creasey, WD Ellie Ervine, C Phoebe Maslen, WA Alanna Pullen, GA Charlotte Watts, GS Katherine Mansfield. Impact players: Lottie Robinson, Poppy Tydeman, Ellen Morgan, Sienna Rutherford, Dani Carr.
London Mavericks starting combination: GK Cerys Finn, GD Anya Wood, WD Jade Popoola, C Leah Goss, WA Sophia Shalabi, GA Cerys Cairns, GS Azara Wilmot. Impact players: Grace Twyman, George Inger, Timi Adewale, Ellie Oswick, Neve Wright.
Quarter scores (Team Bath first): Q1 15-12; Q2 28-24; Q3 42-39; Q4 53-53; ET 55-53.
Most Valuable Player (supported by Flowers of Bath): Charlotte Watts.
