Hertfordshire Mavericks made up 23 goals in two weeks!

This match was not good for the weak hearted! It started off with Debbie Jones, former Mavericks player saving the day and bringing the match ball up on behalf of England Netball and then the small band of Hertfordshire Mavericks made their presence felt with both a drum and their voices amongst the large noisy Thunder crowd!

Both Northern Thunder and Hertfordshire Mavericks had error periods and some brilliant passages. Each quarter the pendulum swung to each team. Northern Thunder took the first quarter after what had been a close start to the match; the home side found their rhythm and the space but going into the second quarter Hertfordshire Mavericks stepped up the defensive work and Louisa Brownfield started to enjoy her return to the court with some well timed moves that created space against a tight Thunder quartet. Kerry Almond for Thunder kept looking for the floating balls and it was these passes that Hertfordshire Mavericks must eliminate for future games. Depth was the key to the attack and Morgan Smith and Atkinson worked tirelessly to find the circle edge and feed accurate balls to both Brownfield and Clark. From 6 goals down to 2 goals ahead at half time was testament to Hertfordshire Mavericks and their team work.

The second half was again a roller coaster; Thunder made their predictable shooting and centre court changes that brought on a different style of play and for a while it took the Mavericks time to adapt. Amanda Newton was the general at the back and was contesting the feeds into Wilson but Thunder went ahead again by 3 goals.

Going into the 4th quarter Jackson pushed the mid court forward with Atkinson and Buchanan playing the mid courters and Schmidt took the WD bib. A crucial interception by Schmidt well supported by Schofield and Newton and some quick interplay brought Mavericks back into the game and the match now was goal for goal. Bayman, Clark, Dovey and Almond were closing down on Brownfield and the feeds into the circle were tougher and the circle edge was the competitive area for both teams. The spectators were witnessing some crucial interceptions by both teams .With 1 minute to go Thunder intercepted a crucial pass and drove the ball down to equal the score; it was Mavericks centre pass and Atkinson found Clark near the post, a pressurised shot as the rebound position was clearly in Thunders favour – the goal was scored and the whistle blew to finish the match.

A great win for Hertfordshire Mavericks and a tough blow for Thunder but now it is onto the semi finals and the opposition will be Bath or Surrey Storm. The team will be known after the other Play off game today.