Netball Superleague: Team Bath start season with victory

Team Bath started their defence of the Netball Superleague title with victory over Team Northumbria on Friday.

With Northumbria just 10 points behind, superb shooting from Rosie Allison in the final quarter saw Bath win 59-45.

In Thursday's opener, Hertfordshire Mavericks edged to a 49-45 victory over 2013 grand finalists Celtic Dragons.

Yorkshire Jets secured a 53-34 win over Loughborough Lightning on Saturday, while Monday's game saw Surrey Storm beat Manchester Thunder 55-48.

New Zealander Becks Jury put in a standout performance for the Storm in an even contest in Lancashire.

Speaking after their home win, Team Bath captain and England international Serena Guthrie said: "I was really pleased with the girls.

"We finished it off well and that will give us some momentum going into next week. There are some things that we can work on and it's the beginning of the season so we have time".

Coach Jess Thirlby added: "Respect to Northumbria. They played well and we knew that they would be a slicker outfit than previous sides from that franchise."