Opening nail biter and 3 points to Mavericks

This game was always going to be unpredictable; a new look young but exciting Bath side and a very different Mavericks line up were ready to contest the new season.

Mavericks was playing front of a full house and although the skills and play was not always electric the atmosphere was buzzing and the capacity crowd was not going to be disappointed . The World Chamionships players were there to support their own teams; Tamsin, Sara and Rachel (injured) were cheering on Bath and Amanda Louisa and Karen were vocal behind the Mavericks bench! This was to be their only opportunity to watch their teams before leaving for New Zealand on Saturday.

First interception by Naomi Siddall demonstrated that she was going to lead from the front; new signing Lindsey press combining with a familiar face: Gemma Wiseman soon settled down with some positive feeding by Muller and Mavericks took the lead only to be thwarted by Bath with fast and furious through court moves. Errors were seen on both sides and the centres for both teams must have felt they were doing a beep test as the ball kept changing hands. Jenene Cambell for Mavericks deserves a special mention as she closed down Sasha Corbin and did not allow her to show the speed and flair one normally expects from this WA. The second quarter was the promising one for Mavericks where they only allowed Bath to score 2 goals in the first 10 mins. However both teams made changes Lucy Cadge came on as the WA and Bath altered their shooting line up. Lucy was making her debut as a WA for Mavericks and once the nerves settled she made a great interception and hit the circle edge dominantly and fed the shooters.

Mavericks players Amanda Newton and
Louisa Brownfield (and ex-squad
members such as Vicky Sweeting) were
in the crowd cheering their team mates.
The atmosphere was tense...

The ball girls for this match were very well presented... more details about these happy helpers soon...