Full crowd helps topple leaders in another thriller

A TREMENDOUS all-round performance saw Team Bath Netball inflict only a second defeat of the NXT Gen League season on table-topping Loughborough Lightning after an epic contest that gripped another capacity crowd at the Team Bath Arena.

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The Blue & Gold shrugged off the disappointment of seeing a big early lead overturned as they went toe to toe with the title favourites, eventually coming out on top 52-50 after going to extra-time for the third time in four matches.

Team Bath were fired up for a Saturday showdown with their old rivals and, spearheaded by captain Lily Jones - who was on the bench as a temporary injury replacement for Manchester Thunder in Sunday's Super League victory over Birmingham Panthers - they raced into a 16-10 lead after the first quarter.

Lightning, who featured former Team Bath Super League player Molly Hole in defence, had recorded a big victory in the reverse fixture and gradually worked their way back into the contest, cutting the deficit to 26-25 at half-time.

A fiercely-contested second half continued in the same vein, with Team Bath maintaining a narrow 38-37 lead after the third quarter before the 60-minute buzzer went with the teams locked at 48-48.