Nottingham Forest Netball return to home court this Saturday as they take on reigning champions Loughborough Lightning in what promises to be a high-intensity East Midlands derby. The Reds are looking to come back after last week’s defeat at Manchester Thunder 81-65.
RECENT FORM
Forest Netball, in our inaugural Super League season, have shown promise, sitting sixth in the league. The Reds secured a commanding 70–54 victory over Cardiff Dragons in our home debut, demonstrating our offensive capabilities. However, we faced a challenging 81–65 defeat against Manchester Thunder last week.
Loughborough Lightning, the reigning league champions have experienced mixed results at the start of their season. After suffering a 77-51 loss to London Pulse on March 22 but bouned back with a 72-58 win over the NIC Leeds Rhinos, reaffirming their competitive standing.
KEY MATCHUPS
Forest’s Rhea Dixon (GA) and Lightning’s Alice Harvey (GK): Forest’s attacking game often flows through Rhea Dixon whose transitions, and confident shooting makes her a threat. She’ll be up against Alice Harvey who has shown to be one of the most consistent defenders in the league know for her timing and reach. This match-up can play a big decider in Forest’s scoring opportunities.
In the centre third, Forest’s Iona Christian is a key player for the team with her fast and smart transitions. She’ll face off against Beth Cobden a vastly experienced wing defence. Christian’s ability to break through Cobden’s pressure and feed the circle will be crucial for Forest’s performance.
ONES TO WATCH
Forest:
Iona Christian - Centre (C): The heartbeat of Forest’s midcourt. Christian’s vision, speed, and ability to drive play forward give Forest their tempo. She also brings leadership and composure to our side.
Rhea Dixon – Goal Attack (GA): A creative and confident shooter, Dixon brings flair and sharp decision-making. She’s in good form and will be crucial to Forest’s attacking output, particularly in high-pressure moments.
Loughborough Lightning
Alice Harvey - Goalkeeper (GK): Harvey’s shown incredible consistency in the defensive end, often leading in intercepts and defensive rebounds. Her presence in the circle gives Lightning a strong platform to turn defence into attack quickly.
Nat Panagarry – Centre (C): A strong midcourt player, Panagarry brings composure, experience, and strong leadership. She links defence to attack effortlessly and has been instrumental in dictating pace and controlling transitions.
Head coach Chelsea Pitman will be hoping to capitalise on our team’s home advantage and support from our local fans. Nottingham Forest Netball will be aiming to rise to the occasion and deliver a performance that reflects our ambition and potential.