Celtic Dragons are out to inflict more pain on Vitality Netball Superleague rivals Team Bath.
Anna Stembridge, Bath’s head coach, admits her players are ‘hurting’ after a run of four successive defeats, but says they have not given up on a place in the end-of-season play-offs.
Dragons and their Green Army fans are feeling good after their win against Scottish club Sirens and a close-fought defeat against Severn Stars.
Head coach Trish Wilcox takes her Cardiff-based Dragons to Bath on Saturday knowing team spirit is excellent and the players have belief in each other.
They will go to Bath intent on competing in all four quarters, but they face a Bath team suffering after their run of defeats.
“We are just past the halfway stage of the season and we have certainly not given up on a top-four place,” said Stembridge.
“It is going to be tough, but we are not done yet. Far from it.
“This run (of defeats) is really hurting, there is no getting away from that. But, whether we win or lose, our approach has always been to review, respond and learn.
“The girls are still approaching games and training with a positive attitude and their performances in the last quarter against Hertfordshire Mavericks and the second half against Loughborough Lightning have shown they are fighters.
“In every game this year we have shown flashes of brilliance and had strong quarters. Now we must find consistency.”
Bath’s 49-40 defeat against league leaders Loughborough them nine points adrift of the top four with eight games of the regular season remaining.
The first two of those games are at home, against Celtic Dragons on Saturday (5pm) and Severn Stars on Friday, April 28 (7.45pm).
“Dragons have only had one win this season, against Sirens in round nine, but they demonstrated in that game why we will have to be on our best form,” said Stembridge.
“No team can be underestimated and you cannot have an off-day. They will be champing at the bit to get that second success but we are equally determined to get back to winning ways.”
Tickets for Saturday’s match – along with the remaining home fixtures against new franchises Severn Stars, Wasps and Sirens – are available now priced £12 for adults, £8 concessions and £35 for a family ticket. Visit www.teambath.com/events/ticketline or call 0844 888 4412.
Dragons have three away fixtures left this season, against Bath this Saturday (April 22) plus Team Northumberland and Loughborough Lightning away during May.
Their next home game is against Manchester Thunder on Saturday week (April 29, 4pm).
Vitality Superleague Netball
Celtic Dragons remaining home fixtures – all at Sport Wales National Centre, Cardiff
April
Saturday 29 v Manchester Thunder (4pm)
May
Monday 1 v Hertfordshire Mavericks (4pm)
Monday 15 v Surrey Storm (7pm)
Saturday 27 v Wasps (4pm)
June
Saturday 3 v Team Northumbria (2pm)
Tickets for all Dragons home games can be found at celticdragonsnetball.com