Memorable semi-final ends with Team Bath securing Grand Final spot over Manchester Thunder

The shape and formation of Team Bath blocked Thunder’s efforts to dominate play. There was hope for the northern team when the game begun and they netted three goals before Bath retaliated however since losing that small lead at the beginning, Thunder just couldn’t claw their way back as Bath professionally and clinically kept their hold for the rest of the game whilst Thunder trailed behind. 

A gutted but proud Head Coach Karen Greig said “We had a great start with enough turnover ball but threw that away which we can’t do against a team like Bath. We had been saying that we should utilise Joyce but that wasn’t applied until later. They didn’t take enough risks to take those quick shots that we needed to turnover.” 

For the majority of the game, Thunder were on the tail end of Bath’s wrath and with simple decisions going Bath’s way, the black and yellows allowed nerves to get to them and made some small but costly mistakes which Captain Emma Dovey alluded to in her half time talk. Whenever Thunder got momentum, Bath managed to get back into it and hold onto their lead.

Despite the loss however, Thunder showed some magnificent play. They held Bath’s lead to nothing more than four or five goals and Captain Emma Dovey intercepted a number of passes that were destined for the net and really applied that pressure on Bath’s shooting circle. Feisty Bath however had their turn of power and took full advantage of every penalty given to them, with shooter Kim Borger missing just one of her 33 shots. Their do or die approach got them into the finals and leaves Manchester Thunder playing Leeds Rhinos for third place. This playoff could also be Goal Keeper Kerry Almond’s last ever game (again) so they will not be going down without a fight.

Netball UK Player of the Match: Serena Guthrie

Match report provided by Manchester Thunder.