Team Bath’s search for their first victory of the 2026 NEXT Gen League campaign is going into March.
Lucy Button controls the ball during Team Bath’s home defeat by AO Manchester Thunder on Friday 13th February | Photo © Josh Le Feuvre
The side from the University of Bath finished runners-up last year and expressed the desire to win the title this season.
But after their fourth successive defeat, the Blue & Gold are still in penultimate spot in the table, with only Welsh team LexisNexis Dragons below them.
Team Bath’s latest setback came on Friday 13th February, when they lost 62-47 to visitors AO Manchester Thunder.
The hosts looked the stronger team in the opening exchanges but three successful Super Shots helped Thunder turn things around to lead 15-11 at the end of the first quarter.
The Blue & Gold made several changes in a bid to regain momentum.
But these changes did not result in the desired impact as Manchester remained the more clinical team, winning the second quarter 17-11 to open up a 10-goal lead at half-time.
The home side’s defensive unit of Daisy Harrison – who was named most valuable player for her fine performance at GK – and Sydney Sawyers continued to hustle hard and gained turnover that lifted the energy substantially in Team Bath Arena.
Daisy Harrison, Team Bath’s most valuable player against AO Manchester Thunder, receives a guard of honour from her team-mates | Photo © Josh Le Feuvre
Just two goals separated the teams during the third quarter but Thunder looked more comfortable, particularly in the Super Shot periods, and were ultimately the better team on the night.
Team Bath starting 7: Daisy Harrison GK, Lottie Robinson GD, Poppy Tydeman WD, Lucy Button C, Ellen Morgan WA, Lucy Herdman GA, Lily Jones GS.
Team Bath impact players: Lowri Windsor, Neve Marsden, Katherine Mansfield, Sydney Sawyers, Saskia Lea.
The Blue & Gold have some time to regroup as they are without a match in Round 5, which will take place on Saturday 28th February.
Their next outing is not until Friday 6th March, when they will entertain Birmingham Panthers (7pm) in a Round 6 fixture that has already sold out.
Tickets for Team Bath’s home matches against Loughborough Lightning (Friday 20th March), London Mavericks (Saturday 28th March), Leeds Rhinos (Friday 17th April) and the Dragons (Saturday 16th May) are available at netball.teambath.com/tickets.
