Nottingham Forest Netball fell to a narrow 71-70 defeat on the road against Birmingham Panthers, in a tightly contested clash between two of the league’s newest franchises.
Despite a dominant start, we were edged out in the middle quarters by a well-organised Panthers side who found rhythm and confidence in front of a vocal home crowd.
First Quarter
We made a confident and composed start in Birmingham, asserting early control over proceedings with sharp movement and fluid link-up play through the court. Our aggressive offensive display saw us quickly establish a 7–1 lead, with Ria Dixon opening the scoring to set the tone. Our attacking unit displayed excellent cohesion, with strong communication laying the foundation for early momentum. At the other end, our defence stood firm - Jayda Pechova led by example with a series of crucial interceptions, limiting Birmingham’s scoring chances and keeping them under pressure. The Panthers were forced into an early tactical timeout just over five minutes in, as we disrupted their rhythm and capitalised on a series of unforced errors. While we maintained our lead through smart decision-making and disciplined structure, the threat posed by the super shot began to emerge, with Birmingham Panther’s Betsy Creek finding her range to keep the hosts within touching distance. It was a reminder of how quickly the dynamic of a quarter can shift. Nevertheless, we finished the first quarter strong, taking a 17–11 lead into the second quarter.
Second Quarter
After a dominant opening spell, we were met with a renewed Birmingham Panthers side in the second quarter, as the hosts found their footing through composed attacking play and well-timed super shots. The Panthers began to settle with improved ball movement and growing defensive pressure, gradually cutting into our lead. Their ability to link up cleanly and shift momentum highlighted a noticeable shift in intensity. Gabby Sinclair's Super League experience came to force, her sharp decision-making and quick hands adding control and direction to the Panthers' forward play, while her combination with Creek in the shooting circle continued to pose a threat. As Birmingham drew closer on the scoreboard, Head Coach Chelsea Pitman called a tactical timeout to refocus and reset the group. Birmingham edged ahead in the super shot count - netting seven to our five - which proved influential in keeping the pressure on. At the other end, Panthers goalkeeper Jazz Brown made her presence felt with eight rebounds inside our shooting circle, denying us crucial second-chance opportunities. Despite the mounting intensity, we remained composed and continued to compete well, heading into half-time with a narrow 36–32 lead. The momentum may have been shifting, but we remained intact heading into the second half.
Third Quarter
The third quarter marked a turning point in the contest, as Birmingham Panthers built on their second-quarter momentum to take control of the game for the first time. Their growing confidence in the shooting circle was evident, with consistent execution of super shots proving decisive in turning the scoreline in their favour. Nottingham's defence momentarily struggled to contain Birmingham's attacking flow, leading to a rise in turnovers and allowing the hosts to apply sustained pressure. We found ourselves under sustained pressure, as Birmingham’s intensity and tactical adjustments disrupted our earlier rhythm. While we had set the tone early in the match, maintaining composure became increasingly difficult as the hosts capitalised on their momentum and tightened their defensive structure. The Panthers’ energy, particularly in transition, forced us into uncharacteristic errors and made it harder to maintain the control we had enjoyed in the opening quarter. The Panthers outscored us 22–19 in the third period, edging ahead for the first time and making the score 55–54 overall heading into the final quarter. With momentum hanging in the balance, the stage was set for a gripping conclusion.
Fourth Quarter
The final quarter brought a dramatic finish to a fiercely contested encounter, as both sides pushed hard for a victory in the closing minutes. Both teams exchanged leads throughout the quarter, with scoring at both ends keeping the contest on a knife edge and the crowd fully engaged. Rolene Streutker stepped up in the critical moments, showing composure and leadership in our shooting circle. Her ability to find space and convert under pressure was a standout feature of our attacking play in the latter stages. Birmingham’s strategic use of player rotations added fresh legs and energy to their line-up, and adapting to those shifts in tempo and personnel proved challenging. A late super shot from Creek ultimately swung the match in the Panthers’ favour, edging them ahead in the final moments to secure the lead with a final score of 71–70. Though our strong start laid promising foundations, it ultimately wasn’t enough to see us over the line against a spirited Panthers side who capitalised on key moments. Nonetheless, the performance showed plenty of positives and fight - clear signs that this group will continue to grow and compete at the highest level.