With many players from both the Mavericks and Team Bath, this UK Netball Superleague tie was going to tell a story about the strength deep in the squad for both teams. And tell a tale it did: both missed key players, but still managed to put up quite the fight! This was the first game in the season for both teams - let’s hope the Superleague hasn’t peaked too soon!
Bath gave Superleague debuts to Sasha Corbin and Kirsty Delves (who came on in the third quarter). A baptism of fire, perhaps, but certain a great game on which to cut their teeth. The Mavericks were sporting a swanky new kit… would it help them to the win, though?
First Quarter
Starting squads:
| Pos. | Mavericks | Team Bath |
|---|---|---|
| GS | Lynsey Press | Monique Wood |
| GA | Gemma Wiseman | Asha Tett |
| WA | Ann-Marie Muller | Sasha Corbin |
| C | Deb Jones | Serena Guthrie |
| WD | Jenene Cambell | Stacey Francis |
| GD | Naomi Siddall (Cpt) | Eboni Beckford-Chambers (Cpt) |
| GK | Nicole McFarlane | Gemma Fletcher |
The game was played in Hertfordshire in front of a full sell-out crowd; the players on international duty (and those unfortunate enough to be injured) were present to cheer on their teams before heading off to the World Championships in New Zealand.
A scrappy first quarter saw neither team reach their potential, and the 7-7 scoreline belies the number of mistakes made by the teams. Both must have felt fortunate that the other could not capitalise, but the turnovers kept occurring. Both sides put up decent defence, however, and it was in the attackers’ handling that they were left wanting.
Second Quarter
The teams remained the same for the second quarter, Bath’s Fletcher and Beckford-Chambers swapping places was the only alteration.
The Mavericks started this quarter with a renewed sense of urgency; Team Bath only managed 2 goals in the first 10 minutes. The Mavericks maintained a tight hold on Bath and were 9 goals to 4 up in the quarter. Fletcher sustained an injury during the second half and had to be replaced with Natalie Seaton coming on at Centre (meaning Serena Guthrie was moved to WD and Francis moved around to GD).
Third Quarter
The Mavericks, happy with how the match had gone so far, again remained with the same teams, and Bath swapping Monique Wood for Kirsty Delves and playing her at GA, moving Asha Tett to GS.
The half-time talk obviously did some good as Bath surged forward. The match was still end-to-end with absolutely no let-up from either team; Team Bath took the quarter 7-6.
Fourth Quarter
The only change for the final quarter was Lucy Cadge’s entry in place of Ann-Marie Muller for the Mavericks.
Bath continued their attack with the Mavericks managing to sneak a few in. 17 goals were scored in the quarter with Bath taking an impressive 10. This wasn’t enough to make up for the earlier misses, however, and the final score was 29-28 to the Mavericks.
Phew!
Plenty to improve for both teams, and the rematch at Team Bath’s court later in the season will be a spectacle, we’re sure.
