NSL RD 4: TEAM BATH v LONDON PULSE – MATCH REPORT
London Pulse made it three successive wins with a dominant performance on the road to beat Team Bath 76-43 and set another franchise record.
The early weeks of the 2024 season have seen great crowds all over the country, and after last week’s record Copper Box attendance, Pulse faced a Bath team hoping to delight a sell out crowd with a first home win of the campaign.
However, Sam Bird’s team were in no mood to let up and building on impressive performances against Surrey Storm and Loughborough Lightning, racked up 76 goals in Friday night, missing just two shots on the way to beating the club’s previous best total of 72 set in Bath last year.
“We were talking about player of the match and we chose Berri but every player was on it today and it was a really outstanding performance,” a delighted Bird said after the game.
“We have talked about being disciplined and that is hard when you have the ball a lot – and we had a lot of ball today.
“We try to play at speed and sometimes there were a few mismatches and as always we will want to improve but on the whole I am so pleased.”
Having wrestled control from the hosts midway through the first quarter, Pulse put together a strong all round display to win all four quarters, and get crucial minutes into all members of the squad.
Victory means Pulse remain in the top four, level on points with Severn Stars who were beaten for the first time this season by Manchester Thunder in Friday’s other Superleague match.
Next up for Pulse is a return to the Copper Box to face Stars, and they will do so on the back of a magnificent performance that showcased the full strength of their 12.
“It is really good to see our next generation of players coming on and dominating,” Bird added.
“Today Darcie had a great introduction with something like four interceptions in five minutes.
“Hopefully everyone can see the encouragement from the bench for the players that are on, it was really good.”
STORY OF THE GAME
After naming an unchanged team for the last two games there was one change for the trip west as Jade Clarke came in at centre for Izzi Phillips – her first start since the defeat to Manchester Thunder.
The hosts recovered from losing their first centre pass to get the game back on track but with the scores locked at 5-5, Halimat Adio and Funmi Fadoju took control to help Pulse begin to pull away.
Some trademark Kadeen Corbin magic delighted the home crowd but with Berri Neil and Olivia Tchine rewarding defensive turnovers, Pulse managed to move clear by the end of the quarter.
Q1: Team Bath 12-18 London Pulse
With no changes from either side the pattern was set with Kelly and Corbin for the home team’s attack looking to keep pace with Tchine and Neil. However Fadoju and Adio have been turnover machines this season and they carried on where they had left off against Loughborough.
With the lead stretching out to double figures it was Bath who made the first change as former Pulse athlete Jayda Pechova came on at Goal Keeper
A six goal lead after the opening 15 minutes became 14 by half-time as Clarke, and Alicia Scholes continued to provide plenty of chances that the circle were ruthless in converting.
Q2: Team Bath 23-37 London Pulse (11-19)
After a gruelling battle with Lightning in Round 3 which featured the same seven players across the full 60 minutes, Bird took her chance to make changes.
Nichole Taljaard, Brie Grierson, Jeresia McEachrane and Darcie Everitt all entered at the start of the third quarter and while adjustments were made Bath looked to seize their chance.
Kelly led the way as a 5-1 run for Asha Francis squad brought them back within 10 but that was as close as they got as Pulse hit back with a 12-1 run of their own to further extend their lead. Slotting in at Goal Attack South Africa’s Taljaard linked up first with Tchine and then Neil in the shooters bib as the lead moved to 20.
Q3: Team Bath 36-56 London Pulse (13-19)
There was no letting up in the final quarter, as those from the bench showed their hunger to showcase their skills.
Darcie Everitt inspired a blistering run winning a host of ball in defence and with England star Neil in supreme form – finishing with a perfect 24 goals from 24 shots – Pulse took their goal total past the club’s best ever tally of 72 which came in last season’s win at Team Bath Arena.
A sold-out home crowd continued to roar their team on but Pulse were unfazed and closed out a win that moves them into third spot in the Superleague table with three other matches of the round still to play.
Q4: Team Bath 43-76 London Pulse (7-20)
Starting 7s
Team Bath – GK – Putt; GD – Pavelin; WD – Catling; C – Maslen; WA – Dyke; GA – Kelly; GS – Corbin. Bench – Pechova; Ervine, Harris, Burton, Barrie.
Pulse – GK – Adio; GD – Fadoju; WD – Z Everitt; C – Clarke; WA – Scholes; GA – Neil; GS – Tchine. Bench – McEachrane; D Everitt, Phillips, Grierson, Taljaard.
Round 4 Results & Fixtures
Friday – Severn Stars 51-65 Manchester Thunder
Saturday – Leeds Rhinos v Strathclyde Sirens
Saturday – Surrey Storm v Cardiff Dragons – live on BBC iPlayer
Sunday – Saracens Mavericks v Loughborough Lightning