THE Cardiff Dragons have now won the most amount of games they have won in a season since 2019 after they defeated Team Bath 52 goals to 46. The game was tight for much of the match, but the Dragons put their foot down just enough in the third term to secure the win.

Although there were a number of intercepts in the early minutes of the first term, it was the Dragons who were first to make the most of one and as such took the early lead. However, Tash Pavelin then rose to the occasion and picked up several turnovers for Bath to get them right back into the match, and ultimately equalised the score.

After the teams entered a goal for goal tussle for the final few minutes of the quarter, the score was 13 goals apiece at the first change.

The second quarter was one of shifting momentums. The Dragons got off to a quick start in the second term, scoring the first three goals of the term, but then Bath kicked back into gear and got within one of their visitors. The Dragons then extended their lead out again before Bath clawed their way back, and as such the margin sat at two in the visitor’s favour at the main break.

The third term was really ultimately the defining term of the quarter. The Dragons may have ultimately only added three goals to their lead, but it was a quarter where they were the more dominant side. Perhaps it was the pressure getting to Bath, but they were missing rather simple shots, which were then being turned over and the Dragons were capitalising on it up the other end.

It meant that even though the Dragons only won the final quarter by a goal, it was more than enough to see them win the game. For the Dragons Jacqui Newton and Nia Jones starred in the win, while Phoebe Maslen was also impressive through midcourt for Bath alongside Pavelin.

In other results:

• The Surrey Storm picked up a crucial win in the context of their season, downing the Strathclyde Sirens by 14 goals.

The Sirens actually matched it with the Storm early, but fell away in the second quarter and that was ultimately the turning point in the match.

• Manchester Thunder flexed their muscles against the Leeds Rhinos, thrashing the visitors to the tune of 30 goals.

A 16 goal to seven first term in the Thunder’s favour really set the tone for the match, as the Rhinos did not score above 10 goals a quarter until the last term.

• The Loughborough Lightning also picked up a crucial win, downing fellow top four side the Severn Stars by 16 goals.

It was tight in the first half, but things opened up in the third term when the Lightning shot double the number of goals the Stars did.

• The round wrapped up with an absolute nail biting London Derby between the Pulse and Mavericks, with the home side prevailing by two goals.

It was a tight game right the way through, and even though the Pulse lost the last quarter, their earlier work meant that they were still able to come away with the three points.