Team Bath Netball’s first NXT Gen League match in Bristol proved to be a thriller as they were edged out by a last-gasp goal by Manchester Thunder at Clifton College.
Alanna Pullen Photo: Josh Le Feuvre.
A vocal crowd at the Chellaram Sports Complex saw the Blue & Gold race into a 15-9 lead after the first quarter before Thunder – who featured Jade Clarke, England’s most-capped player, in their ranks – cut the half-time deficit to 26-25.
Defences were on top in a tightly-fought third quarter which finished all square at 37-37, setting up a nail-biting final 15 minutes which saw Thunder edge ahead for the first time but it remained neck and neck going into the
Having won by a single goal in their previous match at London Mavericks, Team Bath found themselves on the other end as they were pipped 50-49 after running out of time to convert their last centre-pass, Thunder’s winner coming with just seven seconds remaining.
Shooter Katherine Mansfield was named as Most Valuable Player for Team Bath, who take on Leeds Rhinos at the First Direct Arena on Saturday 29th March (1.30pm) before returning to the Team Bath Arena on Friday 4th April to face Birmingham Panthers (7pm). Remaining tickets are on sale at netball.teambath.com/tickets.
Panthers are a new franchise and called up Team Bath and England U21 mid-courter Phoebe Maslen as a temporary replacement player for their debut Super League home match against Thunder over the weekend.
With thanks to Team Bath
