Team Bath continue winning form as they take a 55 – 39 win over an improved Storm performance
After a hard-fought battle last weekend against Loughborough it gets no easier for Storm as they matched up against VNSL leaders Team Bath.
Team Bath entered the game with only 1 loss throughout the season thus far. They bolster a talented roster causing a tough match up whilst Storm are without 3 players due to injury (Leah Middleton, Emma Magee and Ellie Kelk). As a result, Felitis Kwanga entered the starting 7 after a great second half performance last week.
Storm started the game composed and did not allow Team Bath to get out of second gear as they matched score for score over the first 8 minutes, but with turnovers towards the end of the quarter that were capitalised on, enabled Bath to finish ahead 16 – 11.
Storm brought the same energy into the 2nd quarter where Team Bath outscored Storm by 3 goals. Yasmin Parson highlighted her willingness to fight, patrolling the court with an impressive interception whilst out muscling Baths Layla Guscoth and finding Kathryn Bailey for the score. The Quarter ended 29 – 21 in favour of Team Bath.
2nd half changes see’s Grace Sullivan replace Felitis Kwanga as Storm look for a different option in defence and a burst of energy from the bench with Emily Gulvin entering the game during the 3rd to replace player coach Mikki Austin.
Previously Storm have struggled in 3rd quarters and let games slip away, however, the players on court grinded out the quarter not giving Team Bath anything easy. Bath only outscored Storm by 3 goals moving into the 4th quarter up 42 – 31.
In the final period Bath showed their class and composure as they finished strong and rotated their bench closing the game 55 – 39. A positive from the 4th was seeing Storms young future star Sophie Kelly displaying her talent on court showing why she had been selected in the England Rose Academy Squad earlier this year.
Storm will be back in action on the 30th building upon this performance as next weekend sees a break for netball.