NETBALL
TEAM BATH'S UNBEATEN RUN WRECKED BY SURREY STORM
Surrey Storm captain Sonia Mkoloma in defence / Pics: Guy Pedliham
By Express.co.uk reporter
SURREY STORM have ended Team Bath's unbeaten run in the Netball Superleague.
On the offensive from the first whistle, Surrey Storm shot to a six-goal lead in the opening five minutes of the clash at Guildford Spectrum.
But reigning Superleague champions Team Bath responded with fast passing and quick ball into the circle to narrow the lead to just two goals at the quarter end.
In a spectacular game of exhibition netball Team Bath came back fighting in the second 15 minutes, turning a 12-10 deficit into a 14-12 lead before the home side caught up.
Defender Eboni Beckford-Chambers was enjoying the tussle with former Bath teammate Rachel Dunn and proved thoroughly disruptive in the Storm circle.
Going into the second half just four-goals separated the sides with the scores at 24-20 to Storm.
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Surrey Storm beat reigning Superleague champions Team Bath
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A tense third quarter saw both teams net nine-goals apiece, as the crowd began to go wild. Two time-outs in the final 15 minutes saw the capacity crowd on their feet as Storm held on to end Team Bath's record.
It marks the champions' first Superleague defeat since they lost the 2008 grand final to Mavericks.
Surrey Storm coach Mary Beardwood said: “It was absolutely fantastic. The quality from both teams throughout the hour was tremendous. Tremendous for the spectators to watch and the athleticism and tactical play that went on throughout the game was amazing.”
“We really got out of the blocks fast tonight and that was what I was wanting. I was really pleased with the 8-1 lead that we squandered to say the least, but credit to Bath. They are the reigning champions and they aren’t going to give up their title easily.”
Team Bath’s coach Jess Garland was glad the big match lived up to expectations: “It was always billed as being a bit of a showcase and I think sometimes the big games can disappoint spectactors. But I’m really proud of what both teams displayed tonight and it really epitomises top-level netball in the country at the minute.”
There’s been so many lessons learned that I really can’t be anything but proud and I think this could be something that makes us stronger.”
QUARTER SCORES
(Surrey Storm - Team Bath)
Q1: 12-10
Q2: 24-20
Q3: 33-29
Q4: 43-40
STARTING LINE UPS
Surrey Storm
Rachel Dunn GS, Michelle Hall GA, Tamsin Greenway WA, Becky Nash C, Jaime Galley WD, Sonia Mkoloma (capt) GD, Geva Mentor GK
Subs: Abby O’Hara, Rhianne McHale, Gemma Wiseman, Natasha Hampshire, Chrissy Fitzgerald
Team Bath
Asha Tett GS, Pamela Cookey (capt) GA, Sasha Corbin WA, Jo Binns C, Serena Guthrie WD, Stacey Francis GD, Eboni Beckford-Chambers GK
Subs: Rosie Allison, Kirsty Delves, Gemma Fletcher, Lindsay Keable, Amanda Trounce
UMPIRES
Janice Treasure, Ann-Marie Peacock and Tracy Smith
