Share Celtic Dragons earned their maiden win of the 2023 Netball Super League season with a 54-45 win over Team Bath. It was the first time Dragons had beaten Bath since 2014, with Chelsea Beard inspiring her side to victory on her return to Cardiff after three seasons away, as she was named Player of the Match. "All the hard work paid off," said Beard "We said from the start Bath would come back, and they did. "To grind out the win, and to push on is very important to us, we just need to push on for the rest of the season now. "The belief the girls will take from this game knowing we can compete at this level, knowing we can win in this league is huge, and we can push on ready for Friday”. What a night in Cardiff 🔥@celticdragons_ record their first win against @TeamBathNetball since April 2014 📋#GetSomeNet l #NSL2023 pic.twitter.com/xQFCd4LQbd — Netball Super League (@NetballSL) February 20, 2023 First Quarter Bath started the match with the first centre pass, but Celtic Dragons got the ball through the net first after a missed shot from Team Bath. The momentum swung back and forth from Dragons to Bath and back for the first five minutes of the match as both teams settled into the match. With both teams fighting for their first win of the season, it was all to play for. Dragons showed their patience in working the ball to the circle's edge with Beard holding strong for a feed in. Phillipa Yarranton replaced Gabby Sinclair half way through the quarter and was straight into the action with a great drive into the circle and shot to finish. The momentum changed in Dragons’ favour and they took an 18-10 lead going into the second quarter. Beard is back 💥@chel_c is making her mark against her former team, as she returns to the Super League in #NSL2023 👊 Watch live on @SkySports Mix, Arena and YouTube ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/NOX2PD8WMt — Netball Super League (@NetballSL) February 20, 2023 Second Quarter Shaquanda Greene-Noel started the second quarter off with two big intercepts to keep Dragons ahead halfway through the second quarter. With Team Bath drawing nearer to Dragons, Greene-Noel was up to the challenge and again got an intercept, followed by a dance to get the sold out crowd at House of Sport back into the game. Bath drew the score back closer to 25 – 24, and Dragons opted to make changes in response; Leighton came onto court for Clare Jones at centre and Laura Rudland took the goal attack position from Yarranton. With a minute remaining, the momentum shifted Bath’s way as they levelled and went one goal clear at the end of the half, 28-27. What. It. Means. @QuandaNoel making her mark 👊 #GetSomeNet l #NSL2023 pic.twitter.com/bOcxpM7RLN — Netball Super League (@NetballSL) February 20, 2023 Third Quarter Ella Powell-Davies started the quarter off showing her strength as she snatched the ball and managed to stay on onside. The ball went back into Bath’s possession, but Greene-Noel picked up another big intercept and this time Dragons converted it to a goal. Dragons earned an early lead in the third quarter, and both teams started to find their shooters with ease. With Dragons starting to get more of a lead, Team Bath made a substitution as Bethan Dyke came onto court as wing attack to replace Kirsty Harris. Hannah Leighton showed her connection with teammate Beard with a great passage of play to drag the score out even more with Dragons leading by four goals with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. With the final minutes ticking down in the third quarter, Greene-Noel picked up a caution for persistent obstruction, but it doesn’t stop her getting tips and intercepts and Dragons lead 42-38 with a quarter remaining. Simply Sophie ™️ Accurate long shots from @sophiekellly help keep @TeamBathNetball fighting for the win ⚔️ Watch the finale of this battle live on @SkySports Mix, Arena and YouTube. pic.twitter.com/Bptn8RiO30 — Netball Super League (@NetballSL) February 20, 2023 Fourth Quarter Greene-Noel opened the quarter with a defensive rebound and ignited the squad and the crowd once again. The pressure from Dragons forced Team Bath to throw the ball over the back line and Greene-Noel showed her passion with an emphatic cheer. With less than ten minutes to go, Dragons lead by five goals. Sophie Kelly was replaced by Kadeen Corbin at goal attack to see if they can reduce the score line. Annabel Roddy and Greene-Noel work together to turn the ball, and they got the call from the umpire which gifted them possession. They celebrated with a chest bump which got the crowd cheering once again. Hannah Passmore took to court for Team Bath at goal shooter to replace Betsy Creak. Within the space of a minute, Powell-Davies from Celtic Dragons and Jayda Pechova from Team Bath both received caution from the umpires. With two minutes remaining, the atmosphere from the crowd built as Dragons lead by seven goals. Within the final minute, Pechova’s caution is elevated to a warning for persistent contact, and Powell-Davies picks up another caution for intentional contact. The final whistle blows and Celtic Dragons claim their first win in 2023, and first win against Team Bath since April 2014. Report provided by Celtic Dragons Share Tags: LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons Team Bath Netball