Team Bath have to settle for penultimate place in NXT Gen League

Team Bath have finished their season in penultimate place in the NXT Gen League.

Team Bath wrapped up their NXT Gen League season with a heavy defeat at Nottingham Forest, having recorded a shock victory at Loughborough Lightning in their previous match | Photo © Luke Minett

The Blue & Gold followed up their tremendous 74-60 success at Loughborough Lightning on Saturday 23rd May by losing 86-58 at Nottingham Forest in their finale on Saturday 30th May.

Team Bath – last year’s runners-up – won four and lost 12 of their 16 league matches in 2026, ending up two points ahead of bottom team LexisNexis Dragons.

The Blue & Gold named the same starting seven for the matches against Lightning and Forest, with Daisy Harrison and fans’ player of the year Poppy Tydeman combining in defence behind the mid-court trio of Ellie Ervine, Becca Hinkins and Lowri Windsor.

Daisy Collett and Lucy Herdman led the attack for Team Bath, who produced a magnificent and clinical performance to beat title-chasing Lightning.

The result was very damaging for Loughborough because they missed out on the title by three points, London Mavericks claiming the glory.

Forty-six of Team Bath’s goals against Lightning came in the first half, the visitors’ stunning ball speed leaving Loughborough chasing and their structures disrupted.

The hosts were forced into early changes but the Blue & Gold adjusted well to each one and continued to build, meaning that a Lightning surge in the fourth quarter was too late to have any impact

Wales U21 wing-attack Windsor, who has enjoyed a phenomenal second half of the season, was named most valuable player as Team Bath beat Loughborough away for the first time in six years at this age group – U21 and equivalent.

Team Bath starting seven: GK Daisy Harrison, GD Poppy Tydeman, WD Ellie Ervine, C Becca Hinkins, WA Lowri Windsor, GA Daisy Collett, GS Lucy Herdman.

Team Bath impact players: Orla Farrelly, Saskia Lea, Katherine Mansfield, Ellen Morgan, Sydney Sawyers.

The Blue & Gold then produced a strong first quarter at Forest, only for momentum to shift massively in the home side’s favour during a scrappy second period which saw eight unconverted turnovers in a row.

Once Forest had made the decisive break they continued to push and were the stronger side on the day.

Harrison was named Team Bath’s most valuable player.

Team Bath starting seven: GK Daisy Harrison, GD Poppy Tydeman, WD Ellie Ervine, C Becca Hinkins, WA Lowri Windsor, GA Daisy Collett, GS Lucy Herdman.

Team Bath impact players: Lucy Button, Katherine Mansfield, Ellen Morgan, Lottie Robinson, Sydney Sawyers.

Expressions of interest are now being accepted from players who would like to be part of Team Bath’s 2027 NXT Gen League squad.

For more information, visit netball.teambath.com/player-pathway