Hertfordshire Mavericks wins 52-47 and are into the final

The Hertfordshire Mavericks squad arrived at the new playing venue of Storm and began with the same starting 7 that started in the previous close encounter against Northern Thunder. The opposition were familiar with 4 of their players having worn the Mavericks kit in previous years. The home side Surrey Storm began strongly and there was a brief nervous start by the visitors which allowed Storm to keep 2 goals ahead throughout the quarter. The speed and pace in both attacking teams was immense. It was goal for goal and once the gap remained at 2 neither team could break the other’s centre pass. Going into the second quarter Hertfordshire Mavericks tightened their defensive play and turnovers were giving the crowd plenty to cheer about. However Surrey Storms defence with former Mavericks player Janet Coulbourne pounced on any slightly inaccurate pass. As the quarter progressed Storm tightened their defence and Hertfordshire Mavericks quick release play stuttered and for a period of time the gap widened to 6. However Mavericks regrouped and changed their timing and Brownfield could be relied on with a 100% scoring quarter. The half time score line meant they were 3 adrift.

Jackson made a mid court change with Schmidt coming on to WD and Buchanan and Atkinson moved forward. Storm came out strongly but Mavericks found the circle edge and strongly held their ground; Brownfield and Clark were interchanging smoothly with Clark now taking on more of the responsibility of the scoring. Atkinson and Buchanan were finding gaps in the circle and although Hertfordshire Mavericks were still trailing the impetus was swinging in the visitors favour. In defence both Wing Defences were making tightly and being penalised by the umpires allowing the Wing Attacks to gain more space. At three quarter time the score line was 37 – 39 in Surrey Storms favour but Mavericks had won the quarter by 1 goal.

Jackson returned to the original line up with Morgan Smith returning to the court having been able to analyse from the bench where the spaces were. However all Storm had to do was to score off their centre pass; Hertfordshire Mavericks had other ideas and from the first minute Newton, Buchanan and Schofield hassled and forced errors off the Storms attack. Newtons feet were moving well and tip after tip enabled mavericks to drive the ball through the court with Brownfield finding the ring on each occasion. Excellent support work by Schofield and Buchanan allowed the attacking quartet for Hertfordshire Mavericks to regroup and short and long passes were mixed up to force Storm onto the back foot. A couple of passing errors by Mavericks meant Storm could take another opportunity but the pressure was too immense and errors began to creep into their game. As Hertfordshire Mavericks levelled and then went one goal up Greenway, Storms Goal Attack had an ankle injury and it was an opportune time for them to regroup and for the visitors to reinforce what was required for the last 5 minutes. It was an intense time but Mavericks kept driving the ball through and no longer were they chasing the score line; they were ahead and at the 60 th minute Brownfield sunk her 36 th goal. A win and a 5 goal margin; a real squad effort and place in the final against Team Bath on Saturday 15 th May at the Nottingham Trent Arena at 4.30pm.