On Form & Into the Final

Saturday 29th January 2008
Won 52 - 34

Another step towards the final and Mavericks knew that Northumbria would be back to full strength so they had trained accordingly having recently played them in the league competition. A slow start by Mavericks and Northumbria had an opportunity to go 2-0 up but fortunately a series of missed shots enabled Mavericks to restore the match to 1:1 and from there Northumbria never went into the lead.

Northumbria had obviously focussed on both defenders reducing Louisa Brownfield effectiveness however Monique Wood stepped up to the mark and the opposition realised there was not point leaving her to dominate and gradually both Louisa and Monique were working the circle well and creating problems for the defence

Tight defence throughout the court enabled Mavericks to regain possession and after 20 minutes into the match they began to flow. Naomi Siddall and Amanda Newton were aware of the rolls and dodges of the shooters and although on occasions the Northumbria attack had the space to shoot on numerous occasions errors were forced by this good defensive unit.

A change at half time saw Ann Marie Muller come on and Karen Atkinson went to the centre spot – this did not affect the smooth play and again it was the 3rd quarter that enables mavericks to take control. Debbie Jones returned for the 4th quarter and close defensive play by Clare Elsley and Debbie Jones caused there to be less circle edged feeds by Northumbria . Karen Atkinson; with her quick feeds and dodges onto the circle edge continues to stay another week in the country having helped Mavericks to reach a 3rd successive final.

Next week Loughborough in the final of the Co-operative Super league.

Photographs by Mavericks Official Photographer Kevin Jones.