Dominated the Dragons

14th February 2010
Won 53 - 29

From Bury Hertfordshire Mavericks crossed the border and after an overnight stay listening to the Welsh rugby supporters celebrating their famous 5 minute win against the Scots the squad prepared thoroughly to meet the dragons.

Celtic Dragons were watched by their new coach on the balcony determined to put on a good team performance. However Hertfordshire Mavericks still stinging from the defeat the day before came out strongly and the straight line balls through the court, accurate feeding by all mid courters and Monique Wood linking well with Louisa Brownfield gave the visitors a dominating start. The Dragons had shown in their previous game against Glasgow Wildcats that their shooting combination is gelling well but Naomi Stenhouse covered the dodges and Naida Hutchinson played a tight defensive game that created errors for the home side. Georgia Schmidt in the centre role linked well with Camilla Buchanan to prevent the Dragons dominating WA from making her mark on the game. A change at the end of the first quarter in the mid court bringing Laurelle Borck on continued the Maverick attack with Rose Morgan Smith starting to dominate the circle edge. Creating shooting opportunities has to be an important target for any team and bringing Vicklyn Joseph on at half time gave the visitors this opportunity; 22 attempts at goal showed the surge by all seven players on court; Camilla Buchanan playing a vital role in this attacking play and she and Naida Hutcinson showed seom excellent team work outside the circle that created many turnovers . Vicklyn Joseph knows she has to capitalise on this immediately and after some initial misses she found the ring on numerous occasions. Monique Wood supported her well with some excellent passing toward goal and around the mid court and 100% shooting when she was asked to put up the shots. Defensive changes in the final quarter continued to cause the home side problems and in the final part of the quarter although the attacking play became a little stilted the positive was that the team reorganised and finished the match as they started in dominating form.

Training, both on and off the court continues for the squad whilst Karen Atkinson and Louisa brownfield are on test duty and the squad regroup to prepare for the return match against Surrey Storm on Friday 26th February.

Photographs by Mavericks Official Photographer: Kevin Jones
Pictures available to purchase at matches or email: kevinjones6@msn.com

Next match against Surrey Storm on 26th February 2010...