The Sitec-sponsored Blue and Gold were in fantastic form in both defence and attack as they forged into a 44-35 lead going into the final quarter of a match sponsored by The Royal High School, Bath, and shown live on Sky Sports.

Player of the match Rachel Shaw (Photo: Bryn Vaile for Matchtight)

However, the introduction of former Team Bath player Tamsin Greenway and Rachel Dunn revitalised Wasps – who had won their previous seven games – and they managed to claw themselves level at 52-52 with just a minute remaining.

Team Bath were determined to take the win, though, and showed tremendous mental strength and character to regain the lead before – roared by the deafening home fans – securing a 55-53 success.

It is their fourth win on the bounce and moves them level on points with Surrey Storm in the battle to secure a spot in the Final Four.

Head Coach Anna Stembridge said: “What a great game! Credit to both sides for the caliber of netball shown tonight.

“It was a real squad effort from us again and a really big third quarter to push the score out. It’s all starting to come together and that 60-minute performance is not far off, I am so proud of everyone’s contribution.

“We knew Wasps were going to come back hard in that last quarter and it was a little disappointing how we got a bit stuttery but we dug deep to see it through.

“The fans were absolutely fantastic, they really were our eighth player and definitely lifted the team when they needed it. We are so grateful for the way they have turned out week in, week out to get behind us.”

Player of the match Rachel Shaw added: “It was a great game – a bit touch and go towards the end but we managed to get there!

“We stuck to our game plan and managed to push the lead out a couple of times but let them back in, so we need to look at that consistency going forwards.

“It was a great win, though, and the fans were incredible so a massive thank you to them.”

Team Bath went into the game on the back on three straight wins and looked in confident mood during an outstanding first quarter where they were dominant at both ends of the court.

Eboni Beckford-Chambers and Layla Guscoth were inspirational in defence, while Chelsea Lewis made the most of the many turnovers to give the hosts a 14-10 lead at the break.

Lewis moved to GA for the second period as Shantal Slater came into the action at GS and quickly scored three in a row as Team Bath stretched their lead to eight goals.

However, Wasps are flying high in the table for a reason and they fought back strongly, forcing errors from the home side that shooter George Fisher punished.

At half-time the home side’s lead was down to 27-25 but they regrouped for the third period and, with Jess Shaw on at C and Vangelee Williams at WD, regained the momentum.

A rapid start saw the lead stretch to seven goals and, with the Shaw sisters providing excellent service to Slater and Lewis, that grew even further to 44-35 at the end of the quarter.

Wasps sent on the experienced Dunn and Greenway for the final 15 minutes and they had a big impact as the home side’s lead was slowly whittled away. Tension was growing in the Arena as the visitors closed in and they eventually drew level with just a minute remaining.

Slater held her nerve to score from Team Bath’s centre pass and another magnificent interception from Guscoth proved critical as it allowed the hosts to double their advantage.

The roof nearly came off the Arena when Slater scored again, meaning Dunn’s late goal was academic as Team Bath recorded an incredible win.

Watching the match were representatives of Team Bath’s family of sponsors and backers. They included Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath.

Team Bath will face another new franchise in their final home match of the 2017 season as Glasgow-based Sirens visit the University of Bath Sports Training Village on Friday, May 19 (7.45pm).

Tickets – priced ￡12 for adults, ￡8 concessions and ￡35 for a family ticket ­– are on sale now here or by calling 0844 888 4412.

Before then, Team Bath will travel to Newcastle to face Team Northumbria on Monday, May 15.

Tonight’s match was preceded by an U21 Netball Performance League fixture between Team Bath and table-topping Wasps, who overcame spirited opposition to record a 61-41 victory.

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.

Match stats

Team Bath Netball

Starting seven: GS Chelsea Lewis, GA Laura Rudland, WA Rachel Shaw, C Mia Ritchie, WD Imogen Allison, GD Layla Guscoth, GK Eboni Beckford-Chambers. Replacements: Shantal Slater, Paige Reed, Jess Shaw, Vangelee Williams, Sam Cook

Changes: Q2: Slater – bench to GS; Lewis – GS to GA; Rudland – GA to bench; Jess Shaw – bench to C; Ritchie – C to bench. Q3: Williams – bench to WD; Allison – WD to bench. Q4: Allison – bench to WD; Williams – WD to bench.

Wasps Netball

Starting seven: GS George Fisher, GA Natalie Haythornthwaite, WA Lucy Harris, C Bongi Msomi, WD Sam May, GD Hannah Reid, GK Josie Huckle. Replacements: Rachel Dunn, Amy Flanagan, Tamsin Greenway, Lucy Parize, Fran Williams.

Changes: Q3: Flanagan – bench to C; Msomi – C to WA; Harris – WA to bench. Q4: Williams – bench to GD; Reid – GD to bench; Greenway – bench to WA; Dunn – bench to GS; Fisher – GS to bench; Huckle – GK to bench.

Quarter scores (Team Bath first)

Q1: 14-10. Q2: 27-25 (13-15). Q3: 44-35 (17-10). Q4: 55-53 (11-18).

Attendance: 900.

Report courtesy of  Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight Ltd.

The former England international leaves Surrey to take up the same role at brand new franchise Wasps Netball, who were announced as part of the new 10-team Vitality Netball Superleague line-up for the 2017 season.

Tamsin arrived from Team Bath in 2009 to feature as part of the new look, re-branded Superleague side that took the league by storm in its first season, making over 70 appearances for the London and South East franchise.

The 2015 campaign saw her lift a Superleague trophy for the first time in a duck egg blue dress, a dream which had narrowly eluded Storm so many times in the team’s short history.

Greenway made the tough decision to retire from domestic and international netball in October, but still took a leadership role courtside throughout last season as her side secured back-to-back league titles.

Current and former players from around the country came together in January to celebrate Tamsin’s career with a sold-out testimonial game at Surrey Sports Park, proving the respect and love that she has commanded throughout her career.

Following the announcement, Tamsin said: “Whilst this has been a very difficult decision to make, after seven incredible seasons at Surrey Storm, I feel now is the right time for me to take on a new challenge.

“I would like to personally thank all the team behind the scenes at Surrey Sports Park, my support staff over the years, the players, team mates and of course our exceptional fans for the amazing journey we have all been on.

“The last few years have been a special time for me as both a player and a coach, I am extremely proud of what we achieved at Storm, and I wish the future team all the best moving forward.”

Franchise Director Gavin Baker said: “Tamsin has been a key part of the journey that Surrey Storm has been on since day one. And her legacy is one that will continue to live in fans and players alike.

“While we are disappointed to lose her from the club, it’s encouraging that someone with so much passion for netball will not be completely lost from the sport as a whole.”

On the topic of the now vacant role, Gavin said: “The search for a new Director of Netball has already begun and we see this as a chance to bring new and exciting talent into the club. Surrey Storm are now two times Superleague champions, which means we will be looking for an individual with exceptional talent, commitment and knowledge to take over the role.”

“Everyone at Surrey Storm and Surrey Sports Park wishes Tamsin the best with her new role at Wasps and would like to thank her for her commitment to the club over the last seven years.”

Report courtesy of Surrey Storm