Team Bath Netball get inaugural NXT Gen League campaign off to a winning start as fans enjoy entertaining Nottingham Forest contest

Posted 8th Feb 2025

Team Bath Netball get inaugural NXT Gen League campaign off to a winning start as fans enjoy entertaining Nottingham Forest contest

A picture of Team Bath Netball shooter Lily Jones under pressure from the Nottingham Forest goal keeper during the first-ever NXT Gen League match on Friday 7th February 2025.

Team Bath Netball treated an appreciative sell-out home crowd to an excellent all-round team display as they got the 2025 NXT Gen League season off to a winning start.

The Blue and Gold established a narrow early lead against Nottingham Forest, edging the first quarter 16-13, and fought to maintain that advantage during a fast, physical contest before strong defensive pressure and key turnovers allowed them to pull away in the final quarter.

The 62-53 success, and the manner of the victory, was an encouraging way to start the inaugural NXT Gen League campaign and Team Bath will be looking to build on that when they entertain Cardiff Dragons on Friday 14th February (7pm centre-pass, click here to buy tickets).

Team Bath Netball's players salute the fans after the 62-53 victory over Nottingham Forest in the 2025 NXT Gen League — Team Bath Netball’s players salute the fans after their 62-53 victory over Nottingham Forest. PICTURES: Anna Barclay

Captain Lily Jones led by example for the hosts, converting 92 per cent of her shots and defending from the front with two interceptions during an impressive performance which earned her the player of the match award.

Wing-defence Ellie Ervine made three interceptions and the rest of the match-day squad also made important contributions to the result, with all 12 players getting out on court in front of a 600-strong crowd.

The Forest match was the first of three successive Friday fixtures at the Team Bath Arena and tickets are available for the home games against Dragons, who lost 60-50 to Manchester Thunder in their opener, and London Pulse, who edged out Loughborough Lightning 53-52. Visit netball.teambath.com/tickets to purchase tickets.

A picture of Team Bath Netball fans in the Team Bath Arena for the first-ever 2025 NXT Gen League match against Nottingham Forest. — A 600-strong crowd provided fantastic support for the first-ever NXT Gen League fixture

Team Bath Netball are supported by Bath Building Society and Rengen Developments, who are both overall Team Bath Partners, and Bath Recreation Limited, who have recently committed to a three-year partnership. Flyhawk supply Team Bath Netball’s performance clothing and off-court apparel.

Player of the match Lily Jones receives a bouquet, provided by Flowers of Bath, from former Team Bath captain Lily-May Catling, who now works for kit suppliers Flyhawk

Match stats

Team Bath Netball starting combination: GK Lottie Robinson, GD Poppy Tydeman, WD Ellie Ervine, C Phoebe Maslen, WA Alanna Pullen, GA Ella William, GS Lily Jones (c). Impact players: Lucy Button, Scarlett Creasey, Ellen Morgan, Sienna Rutherford, Charlotte Watts.

Nottingham Forest starting combination: GK Anna Fairclough, GD Tabitha Tooms, WD Annabel Roddy, C Corey McGlynn (c), WA Katie Rayner, GA Lily Smith, GS Amy Braithwaite. Impact players: Ruby Parker, Regan Peters, Claire Drakeford, Kelechi Ambros, Rihanna Luke.

Quarter-time scores: Q1 16-13; Q2 30-27; Q3 44-42; Q4 62-53.

Player of the match: Lily Jones.