WALES’ Celtic Dragons were edged out by favourites Team Bath in the final three minutes of their netball Superleague Grand Final in Worcester on Saturday.

The Cardiff-based Dragons, who featured Gwent aces Sara Hale and Cara Lea Moseley, pushed their opponents all the way but Bath won 62-56 to be crowned five-times NSL champions.

Dragons dominated in the shooting stakes, netting 90 per cent compared with Bath’s 78 per cent, but the mid-court pressure from both teams, coupled with some fast-paced hunger from Bath, meant the momentum swung to the English side in the final moments.

A couple of low feeds to Lottysha Cato came within a comfortable reaching distance for Sam Cook, and Bath squeezed in front at the first break 16-15.

Bath coach Jess Thirlby swapped Serena Guthrie and Mia Ritchie in the mid-court, but Dragons coach Melissa Hyndman made no changes, allowing her side to get into gear and win the second period.

The Dragons’ ‘green army’ of supporters were vocal from the moment they arrived in Worcester, and despite being smaller in number than the Bath support they made up for their size in noise and passion each time Dragons scored or turned over the ball.

The third quarter was even faster and tighter and louder as the lead swapped hands many times. Stacey Francis read a long pass to Kyra Jones a mile off and hunted down the ball in her usual athletic bound.

Kadeen Corbin’s circle movement was particularly good, but with Ebbw Vale’s Hale and team-mate Steph Williams possessive on rebounds, they kept Bath to a lead of just two going into the final break.

With just four minutes left on the clock Bath led by one goal but a succession of late strikes sealed victory.

Hyndman was full of praise for her side despite the result.

“Words cannot describe how proud I am, how honoured,” she said.

“They’ve done everything I asked of them.”

Captain Suzy Drane said: “We’re really proud that we got here. We were targeting a top- four place. A grand final spot we only dreamt of.”