(Photo: Will Cooper/Fever Pitch)

A strong first half from the Blue & Gold kept them in contention with a score of 31-35, as they were cheered on by a crowd of 1,200. However, a feisty third quarter from Storm saw them pull ahead and produce a clear gap of 41-55. Despite the home side fighting hard in the final quarter, they were unable to close the gap.

Asha Francis, Team Bath Netball Super League Head Coach, said: “It was a great start to the game, but Storm obviously came out harder in the second half. They were able to force us into a few more errors.

“I think the bit we are disappointed about is that third quarter and just not having as much energy.

“But a great way to finish the game, going for the ball and turning the game around. We had more confidence driving through in attack, so it was a really positive finish.”

Team Bath came out confidently on home turf against Surrey Storm. A strong start saw them go goal-for-goal with Storm in the first quarter. Some precise shooting from Sloan Burton and Sophie Kelly, despite intense defensive pressure, led to a high-scoring first quarter of 19-18.

Team Bath applied more defensive pressure throughout the second quarter, with Jayda Pechova providing some crucial interceptions. The first change of the match for Team Bath came as Emma Barrie was introduced at GS, supplying vital points to the scoreboard. This kept the match at 31-35 going into the second half.

Despite this strong start from Team Bath, Surrey Storm pushed back. A feisty start to the second half from Storm saw a string of goals from Proscovia Peace Nwokocha (GS) that Bath struggled to chase.

Training Partner, Lily Jones, made her first home appearance in the third quarter, playing as GA. She executed some great goals that helped Bath in their chase.

With the pressure on, the Blue & Gold responded in the final quarter. The team fought for every ball and drove hard right till the end. There was a strong defence from Pechova and a flurry of goals from Kelly and Barrie. Although Team Bath came out swinging to finish exceptionally well, the scoreboard was not reflective of this, with a final score of 56-63.

Jayda Pechova was voted by the fans as winner of Team Bath’s Most Valuable Player Award, sponsored by Results Body+Mind, and received a bouquet, supplied by Flowers of Bath, from Richard Ingle, the CEO of one of Team Bath’s overall Partners, Bath Building Society.

Today’s match was the first of four home fixtures for Team Bath during a busy month of May, with the league’s top two – Loughborough Lightning and Manchester Thunder – visiting the Team Bath Arena on Friday 10th and Friday 24th respectively. The Blue & Gold’s home campaign concludes against Strathclyde Sirens on Friday 31st May and tickets for all three matches are available at netball.teambath.com/tickets.

Team Bath Netball is supported by Bath Building Society and Rengen Developments, who are both overall Team Bath Partners. Flyhawk supply Team Bath’s performance clothing and off-court apparel.

Match stats

Team Bath Netball starting combination: GS: Sloan Burton, GA: Sophie Kelly, WA: Kirsty Harris,
C: Bethan Dyke, WD: Phoebe Maslen, GD: Tash Pavelin, GK: Jayda Pechova. Impact players: Emma Barrie, Lily-May Catling, Ellie Ervine, Lisa Putt, Lily Jones.

Surrey Storm starting combination: GS: Proscovia Peace Nwokocha, GA: Sophie Drakeford-Lewis, WA: Beth Dix, C: Mikki Austin, WD: Rosie Harris, GD: Rachael Fee, GK: Haniisha Muhameed. Impact players: Ellie Gibbons, Ellie Harding, Amy Howell, Frankie Wells, Anya Wood.

Quarter scores (Team Bath first): Q1 19-18. Q2 31-35 (12-17). Q3 41-55 (10-20). Q4 56-63 (15-8).

Attendance: 1,200.

Team Bath Fans’ MVP, sponsored by Results Body+Mind: Jayda Pechova.

With thanks to Team Bath

The season begins in style, with a full day of Super 10 fixtures on Saturday 22 February, as Storm face Celtic Dragons at Arena Birmingham, before also hosting 2019 Champions Manchester Thunder and Severn Stars at the Sports Park Arena during March.

The regular season then ends on Monday 15 June, as Storm welcome Team Bath to Guildford.

The top four teams qualify for the Superleague Semi-Finals, taking place on Saturday 27 June, with the Grand Final held a week later, on Saturday 4 July.

Current Storm season ticket holders will be able to renew their season tickets between Monday 14 and 21 October. Any remaining season tickets will then be available for general sale from Monday 28 October. Full details will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Courtesy of Surrey Storm

Team Bath emerged from their Monday-night away trip to Surrey Storm with a win, a move back into the top four, a place in October’s Fast5 at the Copperbox and the opportunity to give a fuller squad on-court time.

The victory was also a chance to avenge January’s home defeat to Storm. Laura Rudland, brought on early at wing-attack after a knock to Rachel Shaw, Leila Thomas, the Welsh defender in quarter three, and Abi Robson at wing-defence, in the final quarter, all enjoyed court time in the 48-57 victory – Team Bath’s sixth in a row.

Team Bath Head Coach Jess Thirlby dubbed the victory “a big squad performance” against a Storm side she characterises as “always difficult to beat away from home”.

The Sitec-sponsored Blue and Gold built a 5-1 opening lead only for Storm to pull the margin back to just two goals at quarter-time, 10-12.  A roller-coaster second quarter must have given Head Superleague Coach Anna Stembridge a few grey hairs.  Team Bath led by 20-15 but saw that margin crumble as Storm surged to a 24-22 lead before Bath pulled two back to go to half-time level at 24-24.

In a game of twists and turns the third quarter proved the decisive with Team Bath adding eight unanswered goals as they came off the half-time bench.  By three-quarter time the lead was 32-39 in Team Bath’s favour and despite a short-lived Storm fight-back the Blue and Gold, also supported by Mogers Drewett, Soldi and Centurion Chartered Financial Planners, drove onto victory.

That leaves the stage set for the next home game when Team Bath take on Loughborough Lightning, coached this season by ex-Team Bathonian Sara Bayman, on April 12^th at 7.30pm.

Hardly the thickness of a credit card separates the two sides currently with both in the top four and each having 27 points alongside Wasps. Manchester Thunder top the table with 30 points.

Team Bath’s Soldi-sponsored U19 and U17 teams were also in action at the weekend at Surrey Storm.  Honours ended even with the U19s defeated but the U17s victorious 41-45 in a thrilling match.

Tickets for the Loughborough match and the Blue & Gold’s final home game of the season – against league newcomers London Pulse on Saturday, May 4 (6pm) – are on sale now at netball.teambath.com/fixtures.

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.

Courtesy of the Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight 

Sophie Drakeford-Lewis lining up a shot. Photo: Bryn Vaile for Matchtight.

The Sitec-sponsored Blue & Gold looked in good shape ahead of the 2019 Vitality Superleague season as they followed up a 40-34 victory over Surrey Storm with a 46-32 defeat of benecosMavericks in the winner-takes-all third match at the Team Bath Arena.

Mavericks edged out Storm 48-46 in between those matches as all three teams served up an early Christmas treat for netball fans during a thoroughly entertaining afternoon.

It is the fourth successive year that Team Bath have won their pre-season tournament and co-captain Eboni Usoro-Brown was delighted that all 13 players in the Blue & Gold squad were able to play key roles in the victory.

Serena Guthrie on her return to the Team Bath Arena Photo: Bryn Vaile for Matchtight.

“We’re really pleased and we can take great confidence from the way we played in both games into the season,” she said. “Every single player got on court, every single player contributed and some of our play today was phenomenal.

“Thank you to each and every one of the fans who came to watch today, it was great to see such massive support. We hope to see them packing out the stands throughout the 2019 season.”

Fellow Commonwealth champion Serena Guthrie, who was making her first appearance in Blue & Gold at the Team Bath Arena since returning a stellar spell in Australia and New Zealand, added: “It was good to get our final run-out going into the Christmas break. We’ve been working hard in training so to go out there today and see how we measure up in match-play was good.

“I love Bath, it’s a beautiful place, and I’ve missed it so it’s nice to be back. We have an awesome team and we’re trying to get over the line this year after just falling short in the semi-finals so it’s great to be a part of that journey.”

The tone for the afternoon was set during an entertaining opening match between Storm and the home side, who came out on top 40-34 in front of an 871-strong Team Bath Arena crowd and those watching online via BBC Sport.

They went goal for goal during a first quarter that finished all square at 10-10 and it was a similar story in the second period, with the teams locked at 18-18 before new Australian shooter Kim Commane notched three goals without reply to give Team Bath the advantage at the break.

Guthrie, who captained England during the recent test series victory over Uganda, was among a number of players introduced during a tight-fought third quarter that saw the hosts open up a 30-24 lead.

Storm were playing well, though, and cut the gap to two during the early stages of the final period but accurate shooting from Beryl Friday and Sophie Drakeford-Lewis helped the Blue and Gold – who gave all 13 players a run-out – pull away and secure the victory.

There were a number of familiar faces on court for the second match of the afternoon, with Mavericks featuring Corbin sisters Sasha and Kadeen – both former Team Bath players – and University of Bath Natural Sciences student Tash Pavelin in their starting line-up against a Storm squad featuring Bath graduates Yasmin Parsons and Nicole Humphreys.

Storm started brightly but Mavericks quickly found their stride to lead 10-7 at the end of the first quarter before extending their advantage to 22-16 with a fine performance in the second period.

Both teams contributed to an action-packed third quarter that saw 29 goals scored in ten minutes and Mavericks lead 37-30.

Storm may have been playing their second successive game but they continued to perform with great energy and won the final quarter 16-11 to cut Maverick’s margin of victory to 48-46.

That meant the final match between Team Bath and Mavericks would be decisive, and the home side were clearly determined to get the overall win as they produced a superb performance in the opening quarter.

They were dominant right across the court as they stormed into an 11-4 lead, with Usoro-Brown and Summer Artman – facing her former franchise – forging a strong defence with Imogen Allison.

Guthrie and Rachel Shaw were dynamic in mid-court, providing great service for the attacking duo of Drakeford-Lewis and Commane who have already struck up a slick combination.

Mavericks made a bright start and finish to the second period, scoring five goals without reply at one point, but Team Bath were shooting well and a goal on the buzzer from Drakeford-Lewis made it 21-14 at the interval.

Both teams rang the changes for the third quarter, with Guthrie returning at centre and Leila Thomas, Abi Robson, Amanda Varey and Friday coming on for the hosts. All had a huge impact on the game as Team Bath extended their advantage to 35-22 with another excellent display.

Laura Rudland and Mia Ritchie came on in the final quarter to help the Blue & Gold pull even further clear and wrap up a 46-32 victory.

Team Bath Netball Head Coach Jess Thirlby said: “It’s a bit of a cliché amongst coaches but one of the key things we look for is consistency and it was really good to see us not lose any of our eight quarters.

“We can be proud of our performances today and thank you to Mavericks and Storm for providing such great competition.”

Season and match-day tickets are on sale now for the 2019 Vitality Superleague campaign, with the first match at the Team Bath Arena – on Monday, January 28 – also involving Surrey Storm.

The season begins on Saturday, January 5 with a Super 10 event at the NEC in Birmingham featuring all of the Superleague franchises, starting with Team Bath’s match against Celtic Dragons at 11am.

Tickets information is available at netball.teambath.com/tickets.

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.

Today’s squads

Team Bath Netball: Imogen Allison, Summer Artman, Kim Commane, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis, Beryl Friday, Serena Guthrie, Abi Robson, Mia Ritchie, Laura Rudland, Rachel Shaw, Leila Thomas, Eboni Usoro-Brown, Amanda Varey.

benecosMavericks: Karyn Bailey, Steph Collard, Kadeen Corbin, Sasha Corbin, Beth Ecuyer Dale, George Fisher, Lindsay Keable, Georgia Lees, Gabby Marshall, Lauren Nicholls, Tash Pavelin.

Surrey Storm: Mikki Austin, Sigi Burger, Jessica Dale, Rhea Dixon, Emily Gulvin, Yasmin Hodge England, Katy Holland, Nicole Humphreys, Lorraine Koweleska, Laura Morton, Yasmin Parsons, Alima Priest.

Today’s scores

Team Bath v Surrey Storm: Q1 10-10. Q2 21-18 (11-8). Q3 30-26 (9-8). Q4 40-34 (10-8).

benecosMavericks v Surrey Storm: Q1 10-7. Q2 22-16 (12-9). Q3 37-30 (15-14). Q4 48-46 (11-16).

Team Bath v benecosMavericks: Q1 11-4. Q2 21-14 (10-10). Q3 35-22 (14-8). Q4 46-32 (11-7).

Courtesy of the Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight 

Commonwealth gold-medallist Kadeen Corbin converted all 25 of her shots during a fantastic display and goal-attack Sophie Drakeford-Lewis also boasted a 100 per cent conversion rate as the Sitec-sponsored Blue & Gold came away with a 56-51 away victory against an excellent Storm side.

Chelsea Lewis also scored with 18 of her 22 attempts, while tremendous pressure around the Storm shooting circle – led by the tireless and tenacious Imogen Allison – allowed Team Bath to hold off a Storm surge and keep up their winning run ahead of their home match against Team Northumbria on Monday, May 21 (7pm centre-pass).

Anna Stembridge, Team Bath Superleague Head Coach, said: “I was really proud of the way the girls performed on Saturday. Storm have been picking up form over the past few weeks and played superbly, while their crowd is always noisy and supportive, so to see the way we took on that challenge and thrived on it was very pleasing.

“The shooting from Kadeen, Sophie and Chelsea was outstanding, we were so clinical with possession, but Storm hardly missed a shot either so it was vital that we prevented them getting the ball into their shooters. Imogen was absolutely crucial in that and really set the tone.”

A cracking game of netball saw momentum swing throughout the evening. Team Bath trailed by three after the first quarter but responded superbly to lead 28-26 at half-time, only for Storm to regain the initiative and win the third quarter 13-9.

The visitors were determined to build on their home wins over Celtic Dragons and Severn Stars, though, and pulled away during the final 15 minutes to secure a victory that puts them level with Loughborough Lightning, Manchester Thunder and benecosMavericks on 24 points.

“That was our third win in eight days but what we are particularly happy with is that we are not just picking up points but we are playing with confidence, direction and composure too,” said Stembridge.

“All of the teams do their homework and know how you are likely to approach a game, so you need to be able to adapt your tactics and line-up during the match. That was the case again on Saturday, with all of the changes and players who came off the bench having a big impact.”

The Blue & Gold return to the Team Bath Arena next to face a Team Northumbria side who have won twice since the Commonwealth break and pushed Thunder all the way over the weekend.

“We visited Northumbria on the opening day of the season and while we won, they were a classy side,” said Stembridge. “They are clearly growing in confidence and we will certainly not be underestimating them. It should be another good contest and we are hoping to have another big home crowd behind us.”

Tickets for the Northumbria match and Team Bath’s four home games during June are on sale now – visit netball.teambath.com/fixtures to purchase.

Team Bath Netball are sponsored by Sitec and supported by partners Mogers Drewett, Investigo 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.

It was a close scoreline throughout the match as both Celtic Dragons and Surrey Storm brought sharp, fast and high class netball on to the court.  A combination of fluid movement in the shooting circle and strong defensive pressure meant that Dragons were in the lead 20-17 at the end of the first quarter of the game.

Despite Dragons taking the early lead, Storm came out strong and applied great defensive pressure in the second quarter.  Dragons defence and mid-court players worked relentlessly to keep possession and to turn over the ball.  These valuable conversions kept the Dragons within 5 goals of the opposition.

A tightly contested third quarter saw both sides push harder, one to narrow the gap and the other to widen it.  The hosts remained cool and calm under pressure to remain within 2 goals of Storm at the end of the quarter.

With the spectators on the edge of their seats, both teams charged into the final quarter with sheer determination.  Errors crept into the Dragons game and Storm capitalised with several goals on the bounce, taking a 7-goal lead.  Storm finished confidently and fought through a stubborn Dragons defence, winning 57-69 at the end of a nail-biting match.

Following a visit to Loughborough Lightning next weekend, the Green Army look forward to welcoming the Dragons back to Cardiff on Saturday the 27^th of May.  Dragons take on Wasps in their penultimate game of the season at the Sport Wales National Centre.  Tickets are available via www.ticketline.co.uk

Player of the Match Bethan Dyke of Celtic Dragons. 

Report courtesy of Celtic Dragons

The 56-49 success moves the Sitec-sponsored Blue and Gold to within three points of defending champions Storm, who currently sit in the fourth and final play-off position with five games of the regular Vitality Superleague season remaining.

Storm led 30-25 at half-time but the visitors, fresh from Friday’s emphatic 59-33 victory over Severn Stars, seized control in the third quarter and surged into a 44-40 lead before seeing out an important win.

It was another encouraging performance for Team Bath ahead of their meeting with second-placed Wasps at the University of Bath Sports Training Village on Monday (7.45pm).

Head Coach Anna Stembridge said: “I’m so proud of the team, it was a great display of both dominant defence and clinical but creative attack.

“It’s always tough facing Storm on their home soil and we knew they would come out hard at us but the girls responded brilliantly. It would have been easy for the score to blow out in the first half but we fought hard to stay in touch and that was important.

“I could see our momentum building through the match. We were relentless in defence, right across the court, and we really cherished the ball. You don’t get as many turnovers against Storm because of the way they play, so we had to be clinical when we had possession and we were.

“The other pleasing thing was the impact the replacements had. One of the things that Jess [Thirlby] and I have said from the outset is how important the depth of our squad is – it’s not just about the seven players who start, it’s everyone in the 12.

“Sometimes teams are forced into reactive changes but we always try to make them for positive reasons, and it’s been great to see the impact that players have made from the bench.”

Two of Team Bath’s remaining games are against Coventy-based Wasps, a new franchise led by former Team Bath player Tamsin Greenway, who briefly went top of the Superleague table on Monday after recording their 11^th win from 13 games.

“Wasps are flying and I’m not surprised to see them right up there,” said Stembridge. “They are a new franchise but everyone expected them to be challengers because of how Tamsin recruited.

“She brought in not only talented players but also established partnerships. You have Natalie Haythornthwaite feeding Rachel Dunn in attack and there is Josie Huckle, Hannah Reid and Amy Flanagan who were so effective for Surrey Storm last season.

“We will go into this game respectful of the opposition but fully confident in our own abilities and making sure we are as prepared as possible.

“Every game is going to be like a cup final from now on and I know it’s a cliché but we have to take them one quarter, one match at a time. That has to be our focus and what will be, will be.”

Anyone who buys a ticket for the Wasps game before Saturday, May 6, will be entered into a prize draw to win a training day with Team Bath’s Superleague players and coaches.

Tickets are priced £12 for adults, £8 concessions and £35 for a family ticket. They are available here or by calling 0844 888 4412.

The Superleague match will be preceded by an U21 Netball Performance League (NPL) game between Team Bath and Wasps. Centre pass is 4.45pm and admission is free.

Team Bath Netball are sponsored by Sitec, Mogers Drewett are their Education Partners, Centurion Wealth Management are supporting the team’s performance analysis capabilities, Surridge are the kit supplier and Skins provide the team with compression wear.

Report courtesy of Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight Ltd.

Photo: Mark Pritchard

The Black and Yellows led from the start but didn’t have it wholly their own way, with Storm snapping at their heels for most of the first quarter.

However, the home side still managed to force a healthy first half lead and never looked like giving it up after the break, after gradually eking out the last of Storm’s fight.

Coach Karen Greig liked what she saw from the outset, especially from the defence.

“We set the tone really early. I asked the girls to go out and play hard from the first whistle, something which has alluded them in the last few games,” she said.

“We’re a few games in now and have some great combinations out there, that weren’t quite there when we first played Storm.

“They are building as a unit in defence and we made Storm play back up the court. The couple of turnovers in the first quarter were key and Emma Dovey had a great game. I think having Megan Craig taken off shows what a great defensive unit we have.

Photo: Mark Pritchard

Goal attack Kathryn Turner’s superb form continued in this game, with her mature and controlled performance tonight securing her the Player of the Match award.

Greig added: “Kathryn controlled that shooting end so well and she has a really good partnership with Joyce Mvula now. Joyce did a great job in keeping Naida Hutchinson busy which gave Kathryn space and she dominated in and around the circle.”

It was a cagey start to the game between these two great rivals but it was Thunder who started to take charge midway through the first quarter.

A period of five minutes without a goal from either side slowed down the tempo but thanks to relentless defensive pressure from Kerry Almond and Emma Dovey, Storm’s resolve started to crack.

It buoyed the team and the attack started to reward the defensive efforts with some slick play.

Liana Leota was producing some audacious moments as birthday girl Joyce Mvula and Kathryn Turner were keeping their own shooting tallies ticking over in some style.

Gabby Marshall was quietly effective and key to keeping Thunder composed. It resulted in a relatively dominant second quarter for the Black and Yellows, as the duel between Mvula and Naida Hutchinson heated up, while Almond and Megan Craig were constantly trying to work each other out.

But Storm’s intensity did not drop and they were still having plenty of success in patches, offering up a lip-licking second half for the packed Thunderdome.

Storm came out revitalized after the break and pulled the scores back to within eight.

The match also continued to be physical and intense, with a number of cautions handed out by the umpires to players on both sides.

Thunder were starting to find space a lot easier to come by as they sapped out the last of Storm’s energy.

The comfortable 10+-goal lead in the final quarter allowed Greig to make changes, including Paige Kindred (replacing Dovey) taking to court for her first appearance of the season.

Sophie Morgan entered the game at centre, while Beccy Hoult came on at wing attack, with Gabby Marshall and Liana Leota taking a well earned break on the bench.

There were instances of real quality netball from both teams throughout, in what was a competitive and pulsating game, despite what the scoreline suggests.

But Thunder’s shooters really let loose in the second half, with one example of Turner lofting a gorgeous, looping long pass to Hoult, who switched the ball to Mvula, who then scored an impressive circle-edge chance.

The Black and Yellows are now unbeaten in seven and will hope to extend their winning run when they travel to Glasgow on Bank Holiday Monday to take on Sirens.

Thunder starting 7 to take on @SurreyStorm: GK Almond, GD Dovey, WD Skingsley, C Marshall, WA Leota, GA Turner, GS Mvula #ThuvSto

Quarter score breakdown:

18-12

37-26

54-42

66-58

Report courtesy of Manchester Thunder

The Vitality Netball Superleague season’s showpiece fixture also saw the hosts maintain their unbeaten start to their 2017 campaign, making it four wins out of four to keep their spot at the top of the table.

Despite the impressive score line Player of the Match Mikki Austin (pictured above) said that “consistency across all 4 quarters was key in the win” and that “the contest was tight and physical throughout.”

Director of Netball Tania Hoffman made two changes to the line-up which defeated Team Northumbria a week previous, bringing Naida Hutchinson into the fold to face up against her old side at GK and Georgia Lees back in at WA.

Storm were lively in the opening exchanges, quickly building a 7-2 lead after just a few minutes thanks to some comfortable attacking plays into Megan Craig and Katie Harris. Hutchinson didn’t need long to settle into the starting 7 with a number of interceptions in Q1, allowing Storm to open with a 15-11 lead at the first break.

Mavericks looked like they were keen to quickly turn the tables in Q2, with two straight goals from the off. The Storm defensive pairing of Katy Holland and Captain Hutchinson continued to keep the Mavericks attack under firm pressure, but they managed to keep the gap at just 2 goals. Scarlett Williams came into her own at WD late on in the period, allowing her shooters to re-extend the lead to 31-23 at half time.

It was from here that Storm really pushed their opponents hard. The lead was quickly into double figures thanks to consistent defensive pressure from Holland, with Craig and Harris putting balls away in effortless fashion at the opposite end. Sutherland arrived on court mid-way into the quarter to replace Williams, but by that point Storm had pushed their lead to 13 with Mavericks looking like they had no way to stop the goals flowing in. Q3 ended 52-34 to Storm – a 21-11 quarter for the hosts.

Yas Parsons hit the court at WA to kick off Q4, but it took around a minute and a half for either team to sink a goal until Craig was there to again extend the lead. Mavericks were able to make the most of the odd sloppy ball from Storm but it wasn’t enough to prevent Storm from stealing back the London Live crown and taking a dominating 67-45 win in the capital and keep their spot at the top of the Superleague table.

Storm will take full confidence from the win into their round 5 game at Team Bath in just over a week’s time (Monday 20th February).

[Pictured: Player of the Match Mikki Austin in action at the Copper Box Arena. Credit Graham Hodges]

Tania Hoffman’s senior squad travelled to Newcastle for their first away game of the Vitality Netball Superleague season on the back of two confident wins.

A goal for goal opening period was turned around by the visitors to take a 16-10 first quarter lead. Northumbria staged a mini comeback in the second period, but Storm were able to hold out to lead 27-24 at half time.

The lead was pegged back to a single goal early on in the third period while Storm re-settled into the game, but were quickly able to cruise ahead and lead 46-37 with one quarter remaining. There was no turning back from there on though, and the visitors made it three wins in three outings with a 63-46 away win.

The senior side are back in action this Saturday (11th, 6pm) for the big Netball London Live clash with Hertfordshire Mavericks at the Copper Box Arena. Tickets for the game are on sale now at www.netballlondonlive.com.

Meanwhile, the Storm U19s were in Bath and also looking to maintain their unbeaten run this season and secure a vital top spot in the final round of regular season fixtures.

Heading into the game with three dominant wins behind them, the young stars put on another impressive showing to secure a 54-37 win and finish top of the NPL U19s table.

That result means they will now progress to the semi-finals in Loughborough on March 25th, where they will face either Manchester Thunder or Wasps Netball for a spot in the national finals.

Report courtesy of Surrey Storm