Loughborough hangs on to stay top
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning remain at the top of the Co-operative Netball Superleague with only three rounds of play remaining before the play offs.
But they were made to work hard by a spirited second half comeback by reigning champions Team Bath before emerging 49-47 winners at the University of Bath this weekend.
With England shooter Asha Tett injured, Bath coach Jan Crabtree paired young GS Kirsty Delves with Pamela Cookey and opted for the same seven players who ended last week’s losing encounter with Team Northumbria, preferring Sasha Corbin at WA in place of Jo Binns.
But Corbin found Loughborough’s Jade Clarke too much and was replaced by Binns at the start of the second quarter.
For Loughborough, Jo Harten and Becky James displayed their telepathic understanding in front of goal, and with Murphy and Hampshire snapping up any loose possession mid-court, Loughborough took the first quarter 16-10 and the second 13-10 to lead 29-20 at the half time interval.
In the second half, with one eye on the play offs, Loughborough coach Rose Port gave court time to a number of her other players, bringing Alex Wood on at GS and Charlotte O’Neill at C, as well as Kara Luck at GD.
Murphy replaced Hampshire at WA.
However, the changes unsettled Lightning's playing rhythm and Team Bath, sensing an opportunity, took full advantage.
With Delves and Cookey netting several key goals, and Guthrie and Bayman stealing some crucial interceptions, Team Bath took the quarter 17-8 to leave the scores tantalisingly tied at 37 all with just 15 minutes to go.
Harten and Hampshire returned to the court for the final period for Loughborough and the team's pace and rhythm returned.
Despite the best efforts of Team Bath, who defended with vigour and purpose, Loughborough edged through 12-10 to take a hard fought win, which moves them one step closer to the play offs.
Team Bath will now be looking to take the points from their remaining three games to ensure a play off spot.
STARTING LINE UP
Team Bath: GS Delves, GA Cookey, WA Corbin, C Bayman, WD Guthrie, GD Francis, GK Beckford Chambers
Changes: 2nd Q: WA Binns
Loughborough Lightning: GS Harten, GA James, WA Hampshire, C Murphy, WD Clarke, GD Tomlin, GK Reid
Changes: 2nd Q: GA Stephenson, 3rd Q: GS Wood, James to GA, Murphy to WA, C O’Neill, GD Luck (replaced by Tomlin following injury after 5 mins), 4th Q: Harten to GS, Hampshire to WA, Murphy to C
SHOOTING STATISTICS
Team Bath: Cookey 30/35, Delves 17/27
Loughborough Lightning: Harten 24/34, James 18/25, Stephenson 4/6, Wood 3/6
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