NETBALL: A LONG unbeaten run came to end for Wasps Netball on Monday night as Tamsin Greenway’s team slipped to a narrow two point loss against Bath.
With four games remaining, the loss means Wasps still need one more win to secure a final four spot.
Monday’s loss ended a seven-match winning streak for Wasps and sees Team Bath move into joint fourth place in the Vitality Netball Superleague.
Bath started impressively on the defensive side of the ball, forcing two quick-fire interceptions within the first minute.
Wasps looked unsettled throughout the first quarter and Bath’s strong start saw them lead by four going into the second quarter.
Shantai Slater entered the court for Bath after the break and made an immediate impact, stretching the home team’s lead to 18-11.
George Fisher continued her impressive shooting form from her last game against Severn Stars, keeping the visitors in touching distance and holding the home-side to a two goal lead at half-time.
The momentum swung in Bath’s favour during the third quarter, with the home-side’s defensive intensity forcing turnovers.
Former Team Bath stars Rachel Dunn and Tamsin Greenway entered the court for Wasps for the final quarter.
The experienced duo combined well to pull their side back into the game, reducing the deficit to just five with five minutes to play.
Rachel Dunn then found her form just at the right time and back-to-back goals from Natalie Haythornthwaite brought Wasps level, setting up a tense finish with just one minute to play.
Team Bath’s Layla Guscoth produced a fantastic interception to halt Wasps comeback and help her team hold on for a 55-53 victory.
Greenway said: “We were out-played tonight. We gave ourselves way too much to-do going into the final quarter.
“Bath were outstanding defensively, they put real pressure on us and it worked for them.
“Unfortunately this probably wasn’t as big a game for us as it was for Bath, they have to keep winning everything and mathematically we need one more win.
“We have four more games to win three more points, if we want to make the final four we have to win one of those games.”
