Big away win at Manchester Thunder ensures top-two destiny remains in Team Bath Netball’s hands going into NXT Gen League finale
Team Bath Netball will go into the last match of the inaugural NXT Gen League season with their destiny in their own hands after strengthening their grip on second spot with an excellent 50-36 away win at Manchester Thunder.
The result – Team Bath’s sixth win in seven matches – keeps them a point clear of Leeds Rhinos, who they face during the centrepiece to The Big #BlueAndGold Bash at the Team Bath Arena on Sunday 15th June (3pm).
Rhinos have a game in hand, against Cardiff Dragons this coming weekend, but even if they win that Team Bath know that victory by five goals or more in the final match would guarantee a top-two finish.
Thunder were one of only two teams that Team Bath hadn’t beaten during the 2025 season, having lost by a single goal during March’s reverse fixture in Bristol, but the Blue & Gold led throughout at the Belle Vue Arena.
They had a 14-12 lead after the first quarter which was stretched to 23-20 by half-time before they accelerated away in the third period as several impactful changes helped to extend the gap to 37-26. All 12 players took to the court for Team Bath, who won the final quarter 13-10 to wrap up another eye-catching victory.
Most Valuable Player for a second week running was Phoebe Maslen, who has been named alongside team-mate Alanna Pullen in the England U21 training squad for this September’s Netball World Youth Cup.
Team Bath will have their biggest crowd of the season behind them for the decisive match against Rhinos, with the Team Bath Arena capacity being doubled and nearly 800 tickets already snapped up.
The end-of-season celebration event will also feature on-court award presentations for six Team Bath squads, including NXT Gen, and fun off-court activities plus a curtain-raiser U15s match between Team Bath and Leeds Rhinos. Doors open at 12.30pm and tickets are available to purchase by clicking here.
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
Manchester Thunder starting combination: GK Yomi Wilson, GD Gemma Lant, WD Alice McGeachy, C Rachel Towell, WA Ellie Heyes, GA Shannon Malik, GS Anya Williams. Impact players: Hannah Williams, Jade Clarke, Claudia Seed, Niamh Trainer, Sophie Warne.
Team Bath Netball starting combination: GK Scarlett Creasey, GD Lottie Robinson, WD Poppy Tydeman, C Phoebe Maslen, WA Alanna Pullen, GA Charlotte Watts, GS Lily Jones. Impact players: Daisy Harrison, Ellie Ervine Ellen Morgan, Becca Hinkins, Katherine Mansfield.
Quarter scores (Team Bath second): Q1 12-14; Q2 20-23; Q3 26-37; Q4 36-50.
Most Valuable Player: Phoebe Maslen.
Picture credit: Josh Le Feuvre.
