Team Bath gave the NXT Gen League leaders a tough evening but suffered a gallant narrow defeat on Friday 20th March.
Team Bath’s Sophie Siffre, left, most valuable player in the match with Loughborough Lightning, is congratulated by her team-mates | Photo © Luke Minett
In front of an 800-strong crowd at Team Bath Arena, the Blue & Gold were beaten 65-59 by Loughborough Lightning – their sixth defeat in seven outings this season.
The East Midlanders have secured victory in six of their seven matches. But Team Bath restricted them to their narrowest winning margin this year.
Loughborough led 17-14 at the end of the first quarter. But the Blue & Gold took the honours 19-18 in the second quarter to trail only 35-33 at half-time.
Lighting had extended the gap to 50-46 by the end of the third quarter. And by also winning the fourth quarter 15-13, they ended up prevailing by six goals – despite the hosts converting their highest number of Super Shot attempts so far.
Excellent shooting from Lucy Herdman and key turnovers from most valuable player Sophie Siffre kept the Blue & Gold in contention.
The match proved a memorable return to action for Siffre, who had missed the past five months through injury but played the full 60 minutes at GK.
Mid-courter Ellie Ervine returned after six weeks out and defender Orla Farrelly once again stepped up from the NXT Gen Development Squad to fine effect following her impressive debut against LexisNexis Dragons on Friday 13th March.
The Blue & Gold fell one goal short of picking up a losing bonus point but felt there were lots of positives to take from their performance.
Team Bath starting seven: GK Sophie Siffre, GD Lottie Robinson, WD Poppy Tydeman, C Becca Hinkins, WA Saskia Lea, GA Lucy Herdman, GS Lily Jones.
Team Bath impact players: Lucy Button, Daisy Collett, Ellie Ervine, Orla Farrelly, Ellen Morgan.
A small number of tickets are still available for Team Bath’s home match with London Mavericks on Saturday 28th March (3pm).
In Mavericks’ ranks are former Blue & Gold players Scarlett Creasey, Charlotte Watts and Hannah Passmore.
Remaining tickets are available here.
