The Haines Watts-sponsored Blue & Gold were edged out by one goal when the old rivals met earlier in the season, but they were on the back foot throughout the match at London’s Copper Box Arena. Mavericks, who needed the points to maintain their Semi-Final bid, stormed into a seven-goal lead during a dominant first quarter which they stretched to ten at half-time and while Team Bath kept battling away, they were unable to close the gap and slipped to a 46–35 defeat.

Anna Stembridge, Team Bath Netball Superleague Head Coach, said: “We are definitely frustrated.

“There were some good things, the fight in the second half was pleasing to see and I was really happy with the introduction of Betsy Creak at shooter and how Kim [Borger] and Sophie [Drakeford-Lewis] played out in front of her. We’ll get back to training, look at that first quarter and be sure to address that.”

Clearly frustrated by their performance so far, Team Bath came out firing for the last twelve minutes but mistakes began to creep back in late on as they chased the game and Mavericks, despite losing Beth Ecuyer-Dale and Razia Quashie to injury in the closing stages, were able to see out an impressive 46–35 victory.

Team Bath play their final match of the regular Superleague season on Monday, 21st June against second-placed Loughborough Lightning (7.15 pm centre-pass) in a game that will determine which team finishes top of the table.