Team Bath crush Team Northumbria in Netball Superleague

Team Bath stretched their winning Superleague run to three matches with a comprehensive 63-24 victory over Team Northumbria at the Sports Training Village.

Asha Francis produced an inspiring display for Team Bath as they overcame a slow start and stormed clear of a Northumbria team that was unable to answer their scoring bursts.

Lisa Bowman was in red-hot scoring form early on for Northumbria, scoring their first seven points, but Rosie Allison and Francis matched her and helped Bath pull away from a lead that edged between one and three points for most of the first quarter.

By half-time they had stretched their lead to 29-11 with four rapid goals from Francis putting them firmly on the front foot.

With Team Bath’s passing and movement looking much sharper, Allison began to find space in the circle and went on to score 11 times during the second period, including two fine rebounds after rare misses from Francis.

Northumbria’s passing was much looser and the only moment of real concern for defenders Sam Cook and Stacey Francis was when the latter clattered into the visitors’ bench, knocking over a member of the coaching staff. Fortunately neither was hurt.

With such a comprehensive lead, Team Bath coach Jess Thirlby was able to make some changes at half-time, with Mia Ritchie – who had been involved in a physical battle with Fionnuala Toner – moving from centre to wing-attack.

Kyra Jones came on in her place and Allison was replaced at goal-shooter by Shaunagh Craig, who was making her first appearance this season but slotted seamlessly into the action as Team Bath’s dominance continued in the third quarter.

She scored 13 times – including five without reply in the closing stages – as the hosts extended their advantage to 48-18.

Francis also had a rest in the final quarter but that did not stop Bath's momentum as they managed a 10-goal unanswered run at one point in what turned into a rout.