Lightning vs Team Bath 20th May 2006

TeamBath, top of the figleaves.com Netball Superleague at the end of the regular season, survived a major scare against second placed Loughborough Lightning before taking the competition's major semi final 55-54 after two periods of extra time. TeamBath now move into the competition's Grand Final on 3 June 06, while Loughborough will need to beat Mavericks in the minor final next weekend for the chance of a rematch with Bath the following week.

Despite missing Agbeze and Clarke, who were unavailable for this game, Loughborough was not overawed by the host of international talent fielded by TeamBath, and thanks to some superb centre court work by England captain Olivia Murphy, and clinical finishing by former international Alex Astle, led 13-9 at the end of the first period.

The introduction of England's Jo Binns at C for TeamBath at the start of the second quarter gave the home side's attack fresh impetus, and with both Binns and WD Clare Elsley closing down the space available to Loughborough's centre court, the home side's intercept rate started to increase. Rachel Dunn shot 11/12 for the quarter, as TeamBath pegged back the scoreboard to end the first half level at 22 all.

Loughborough's coach Rose Port introduced former England U21s Gemma Wiseman and Sarah Penny at GA and GK respectively for the second half, while TeamBath substituted another England U21 athlete, Asha Tett for Cookey at GA. TeamBath settled quickly, scoring five goals without reply, before Loughborough found their range, drew level and then forged ahead, using the space created by Wiseman's rotational playing style to great effect. Third quarter, Loughborough ahead 36-33.

Neither team could stamp its authority in the final period, with thrilling contests between England colleagues Binns and Murphy, Elsley and Atkinson drawing appreciation from the crowd. TeamBath closed the gap, Loughborough went ahead again, but failed to capitalise on two key intercepts made by Murphy with less than five minutes remaining. The home side clawed their way back to level the match, with the Loughborough centre to come and less than a minute on the clock. Lightning drove strongly down the court, to find Wiseman in space in the circle, but the whistle went before she could put the shot up, with the scores tied 44 all.

And so to extra time. Loughborough replaced Astle with Wales' Becky James at GS, while TeamBath reintroduced Cookey at GA. Elsley forced an intercept from the first Loughborough centre pass, which was converted with ease by Dunn, and this set the tone for overtime. Despite the efforts of all the Loughborough side, and spectacular shooting from James, who scored 10/11 under intense pressure from Geva Mentor, the home side held on to take a famous victory 55-54, and move straight into the Grand Final on 3 June 06 in Guildford. Loughborough Lightning must now regroup and defeat Mavericks next weekend if they are to contest the final and reverse today's result.

Starting line ups:

Team Bath: GS Dunn, GA Cookey, WA Greenway, C Crowe, WD Elsley, GD Bowers, GK Mentor

Substitutions / replacements: 2nd Q: C Binns, 3rd Q: GA Tett Cookey to GS rep Dunn inj 4th Q: Dunn to GS o'time: Cookey to GA

Loughborough Lightning: GS Astle, GA Stephenson, WA Atkinson, C Murphy, WD O'Neill, GD Brown, GK Reid

Substitutions / replacements: 2nd Q: WD Percy, 3rd Q: GA Wiseman, GK Penny, o'time GS James

Unofficial shooting statistics:

TeamBath: Cookey 13/16 - 81% Dunn 37/42 - 88%, Tett 5/9 - 56%

Loughborough Lightning: Astle: 33/41 - 80%, James 10/11 - 91%, Stephenson 6/11 - 55% Wiseman 5/8 - 63%