In-form Blue & Gold beat fellow high-fliers London Pulse on the road to move up to second in NXT Gen League table
Team Bath Netball moved up to second in the NXT Gen League table as they built on their victory over league leaders Loughborough Lightning by recording an excellent 61-52 away win at London Pulse.
The teams went into Saturday’s match on equal points with Pulse, who had won February’s reverse fixture at the Team Bath Arena, sitting second on goal difference. However, Team Bath, with four wins and one extra-time defeat from their previous five matches, were the side with momentum and they carried that into a first quarter which finished with them leading 17-14.
The visitors asserted their dominance from the off, setting the tone with a high-intensity start. Their collective defensive effort was outstanding, consistently forcing turnovers across the court, while Team Bath’s ball speed dismantled the Pulse defence with precision and flair.
Looking unified, confident, and composed, Team Bath stretched their advantage to 32-27 at half-time and – inspired by a Most Valuable Player display from England U21 centre Phoebe Maslen (pictured), who provided both flair and leadership – they fought determinedly to hold Pulse at arm’s length in the third quarter, the hosts only able to reduce the deficit by one to 45-41. Team Bath then decisively put the result beyond doubt, winning the final quarter 16-11 to wrap up another notable victory.
The Blue & Gold are now a point clear of third-placed Leeds Rhinos, who they face in the last match of the season on Sunday 15th June (3pm). That fixture is the centrepiece of The Big #BlueAndGold Bash, an end-of-season celebration of Team Bath’s players, pathway, region and fans. The Team Bath Arena capacity has been doubled for the event and tickets, which provide access to the full afternoon of activities, are available to purchase online by clicking here.
Before then, Team Bath will look to strengthen their grip on second spot when they head to Manchester Thunder on Friday 30th May (5pm) for their final away match of the 2025 campaign.
Team Bath Netball are supported by Bath Building Society and Rengen Developments, who are both overall Team Bath Partners, and Bath Recreation Limited. Flyhawk supply Team Bath Netball’s performance clothing and off-court apparel.
Match stats
London Pulse starting combination: GK Ellie Sadler, GD Isla May, WD Zaneya Cunningham, C Ally Housley, WA Jada Autumn, GA Evie Watts, GS Hannah Gibson. Impact players: Giselle Burnett, Ella Crew, Hannah Passmore, Rheanna Thomas-Grant, Tayla Wright-Brown.
Team Bath Netball starting combination: GK Scarlett Creasey, GD Daisy Harrison, WD Poppy Tydeman, C Phoebe Maslen, WA Alanna Pullen, GA Charlotte Watts, GS Lily Jones. Impact players: Lottie Robinson, Ellie Ervine, Ellen Morgan, Dani Carr, Katherine Mansfield.
Quarter scores (Team Bath second): Q1 14-17; Q2 27-32; Q3 41-45; Q4 52-61.
Most Valuable Player: Phoebe Maslen.
Picture credit: Bob Bradford.
