Polished performance sees Team Bath Netball tame Birmingham Panthers to get back to winning ways in NXT Gen League
Team Bath Netball produced perhaps their most polished performance of the 2025 NXT Gen League season to date as they got back to winning ways with a 54-47 victory over new franchise Birmingham Panthers.
Another capacity crowd at the Team Bath Arena was treated to an entertaining contest which saw the Blue & Gold hold a slender lead at half-time before their fast-paced, high-intensity netball paid dividends in the third quarter as they built an ultimately decisive seven-goal advantage.
After a couple of narrow defeats, Team Bath were fired up going into Friday’s match – sponsored by Netball South West – and they quickly asserted their dominance, opening up a 14-9 lead before Panthers rattled off the last five goals of the quarter to draw level.
Team Bath’s back four were formidable throughout the match, creating immense defensive pressure, and the introduction of Katherine Mansfield at goal-shooter midway through the second quarter opened up the attack and allowed the hosts to capitalise more effectively on turnover ball.
Mansfield’s presence forced Panthers to defend deeper and GA Charlotte Watts (pictured top) took full advantage in the third quarter, sometimes taking every other pass in the attacking third, as Team Bath stretched their 27-25 lead at the start of the quarter to 41-34 by the end of it.
Team Bath were on top right across the court and the connections looked the strongest they have been all season, with players letting ball go freely with the confidence in each other to be there.
Most Valuable Player Phoebe Maslen was relentless in attack and defence, while Sophie Siffre and Ella Williams had impact from bench in the final quarter as Team Bath saw out their fourth win of the season.
Watch the highlights here:
Team Bath are hitting the road for their next two fixtures, away to Loughborough Lightning on Saturday 12th April and Cardiff Dragons on Saturday 19th April, before hosting London Mavericks at the Chellaram Sports Complex in Bristol on Friday 25th April (7pm centre-pass). Tickets for that game will go on general sale from 10am on Wednesday 9th April at netball.teambath.com/tickets.
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.
Match stats
Team Bath Netball starting combination: GK Scarlett Creasey, GD Lottie Robinson, WD Poppy Tydeman, C Phoebe Maslen, WA Alanna Pullen, GA Charlotte Watts, GS Dani Carr. Impact players: Ellie Ervine, Ellen Morgan, Ella Williams, Katherine Mansfield, Sophie Siffre.
Birmingham Panthers starting combination: GK Alyssa Rose, GD Makeda Thomas, WD Ellen Withington, C Sophie Shipway, WA Niamh Kilgallen, GA Chloe Essam, GS Isabelle Eaton. Impact players: Caitlin O’Sullivan, Pippa Dixon, Millie Carter, Eve Abbott, Emma Barrie.
Quarter scores (Team Bath first): Q1 14-14; Q2 25-23; Q3 41-34; Q4 54-47.
Most Valuable Player (supported by Flowers of Bath): Phoebe Maslen.
