Allison: No pressure on comeback queens Team Bath

The five-time champions travel to the north-west to take on Manchester Thunder, who topped the table having gone unbeaten across the season, in the semi-final on Friday.

Allison, 24, was part of the Team Bath side that lost in the Grand Final last season and has guided her side to the fourth and final play-off spot this time around.

“It’s one of those things where we go into the game with no pressure at all. We are just playing for each other, playing for our fans,” the centre and wing defence said.

“We want to win, we are going out to win, there’s no doubt about that. Them being unbeaten makes it more exciting for us.

“Because if we’re the team that can beat the team that’s been unbeaten all season, that would be quite amazing. 

Four teams. One shot at immortality. 👊

It’s officially the week of the 2022 Grand Final 🥳

Who are you backing for glory? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/wOQ5Mdgcr7

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“But it’s definitely doable for us and it’s something that we’ve been preparing for. I think it’s something that we were looking forward to, it’s a good challenge to have.”

The England international has already skippered her side to silverware, winning the British Fast5 All-Stars Championship last season, but another title looked far away earlier in the season.

Bath bounced back from injuries and a Covid outbreak that stretched their squad to the limits to confirm their place in the top four with one game to go.

Allison highlighted a 50-49 triumph over fellow play-off chasers Saracens Mavericks as the turning point in their push for glory.

She said: “There was a point in the season where we did have to turn it around a little bit. It showed great character and depth that we have in the squad.

The Originals ™️

In 2⃣0⃣0⃣6⃣, @TeamBathNetball became the first-ever winners of the #VNSL 🏆

Just look at some of the faces in that team 🤯 pic.twitter.com/7uYJ0oyJGi

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“I think for us, winning that game against Mavs that we had, the rearranged game, because we won by one, it was a big game for us.

“We really, really wanted to win and we really pushed for it, and I think we just really believe that we could do anything from that point because we’ve put ourselves in the best position to make that top four.”

Whether in the showpiece event or the third-place play-off at London’s Copper Box Arena, this weekend will mark head coach Anna Stembridge’s last time in blue and gold.

2⃣0⃣2⃣2⃣: Manchester Thunder
2⃣0⃣1⃣5⃣: Manchester Thunder
2⃣0⃣1⃣4⃣: Surrey Storm
2⃣0⃣0⃣9⃣: Team Bath
2⃣0⃣0⃣7⃣: Team Bath

Only three clubs have ever gone through a regular season unbeaten 👏#VNSL2022 pic.twitter.com/louUDdkR5B

— Vitality Netball Superleague (@NetballSL) May 31, 2022

Players Kim Borger and Rachel Shaw are also retiring giving their teammates the chance to give them the perfect send-off with victory on Sunday.

She added: “Anna’s obviously been a part of Team Bath for many years now and we step out on that court knowing that it’s her last season, and we want to be able to put out great performances for her.

“And for other members of our team that are also retiring. Every time we step out, we just want to play well, we just want to play our best and do it for them really.”

Who will be crowned champions? Vitality Netball Superleague Grand Final 2022 takes place at London’s Copper Box Arena this Sunday 5 June. Get your tickets here

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