Wild Battle but Mavericks Won!

20th February 2009
Won 48 - 36

Who said Friday night at 8pm, after an England Test Series, was a good time to play SL netball! But that’s exactly what Mavericks and Glasgow Wildcats did! The result, a 48 -36 win, was another 2 points for Mavericks as they stay secure in 3 rd place.

Wildcats compiled a first quarter score of 7 -12, Head Coach Kendra Slawinski gave credit to the dominant Wildcats, who initiated a 3 -1 early lead and strongly finished the quarter with a 5 goal run! Could Wildcats; who had in recent weeks upset London rivals Brunel, do the same to Mavericks?

The Mavericks starting seven of Hall, Clark, Wiseman, Buchanan, Seaton, Schofield and Hutchinson struggled to find their rhythm and timing. Too many unforced personal errors and failure to close down the Wildcats shooter Lesley MacDonald led to a first quarter deficit. MacDonald, the sole shooter for her team, netted 12 out of 13.

Mavericks replaced Ella Clark at GA with Louisa Brownfield. Clark, whose defensive display caught the eye, however, needed to offer slightly more in her attacking role. Brownfield, who had a busy week as part of England’s squad that defeated Jamaica 3-0 in the Co-operative International Netball Series,
arrived on the court at the beginning of the second quarter and immediately inspired the Mavericks attacking formation of Wiseman, Buchanan and Hall. Working with more width and purpose Mavericks dominated the second quarter winning 15 – 9, pulling ahead by 1, the score 22-21.

In the third quarter Mavericks started to pull away playing rhythmic Netball with confidence. The quarter score of 13 – 8 showed the changes made by Slawinski and Maggie Jackson had impact. Chrissy Fitzgerald who came into the C role provided a secure and steady platform. Natalie Seaton’s move to GD with Hutchinson in the circle reduced the shooting attempts. The introduction of Stef Bello at WD ensured Wildcats new WA, Storie, only lasted the quarter before she was replaced. Mavericks whole court defence was working diligently to close all routes to goal. Mavericks, with 15 minutes left were leading 35 – 21.

Karen Atkinson, who as England captain played a key role in all three Tests with Jamaica and the ultimate professional, came into the game for the last 15 minutes. Wildcats coach Denise Holland moved shooter Lesley MacDonald to GA in an attempt to get more ball into their attacking circle. At one point she
had a nasty collision with one of her own team mates, but stood tall to complete the game. Mavericks finished winners 48 -36.

At the end of the game Karen Atkinson was presented with flowers by Amanda Newton, the former England Captain, on behalf of the Mavericks franchise, in recognition of her 100 th International Cap which she had earned the night before, leading England against Jamaica in Nottingham.

Mavericks coach Kendra Slawinski admitted it was tight to start with: “It was a nip and tuck game in the first quarter and Glasgow had the edge. I felt the changes we made were fitting because by the end of the second quarter we were much more competitive.” 

Mavericks have 3 more games of the regular season to go before the play offs.