Disappointing Derby

7th January 2010
Result 27 - 43

The top of the table clash match took place at the Guildford Spectrum on Monday evening. Hertfordshire Mavericks were familiar with the opposition and the crowd were anticipating an exciting match. A nervous start by both teams with Hertfordshire Mavericks having more of the ball but unable to capitalise on this and the low shooting opportunities by both teams was evidence of the team defensive pressure and the subsequent errors.

Ella Clark's busy three days had involved a 2 day England selection camp, a day of A2 exams and completed with a return to the court for her first Super league match since recovering from injury. There were glimpses of understanding with Louisa Brownfield and whilst the Hertfordshire Mavericks midcourt dominated the circle edge in the first half and this was clear with frustration shown by Storm and the umpires sin binning their WD for persistent contact. However Storms experienced and talented international defensive duo of Sonia Mkoloma and Geva Mentor were making it extremely hard to enable Laurelle Borck and Karen Atkinson seeing spaces when feeding the ball; this caused both errors off the back line or tips and interceptions for Storm. The first half was an even game and the 11-11 score midway through the second half demonstrated Mavericks tenacity with Storm not scoring for several minutes. Amanda Newton and Naida Hutchinson closed down the Storms attacking circle on numerous occasions turning over the ball and giving the Mavericks plenty of ball but a crucial long shot by Storms international Rachel Dunn settled the home side and Mavericks went into the second half 5 goals adrift.

Vicklyn Joseph and Rose Morgan-Smith replaced Ella Clark and Laurelle Borck; a change of style and the need to ensure Ella Clark was rested after what had been a challenging 3 days for a 17 year old was the aim but the quality circle defenders just did not give the shooters any room for manoeuvre and the lack of shooting opportunities reflected the problems Mavericks were having. Monique Wood had a challenge to come on in the 4th quarter and the visitors with some great defending by the unit of Atkinson, Buchanan, Hutchinson and spearheaded by Newton had the ball many times but inconsistency in all areas of the court just did not allow the score line to close and Storm won this first encounter.

Maggie Jackson commented on the inconsistency and the lack of shooting opportunities as the crucial reason for this wide score margin. “a lot credit goes to the Storms circle defenders for not letting us play and enjoy the freedom of movement and lack of space; there was a lot of space through the mid court and for various reasons that I do not want to explain we did not capitalise on this as much as I know we are capable of however our training and my responsibility is to focus on giving confidence to the shooters before we meet Storm again at the end of February”