Hertfordshire Mavericks

Opening Rounds of Netball Talent League

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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Mavericks Youth get their 2011/2012 season off to a great start!  Over the weekend of the 10th/11th December at The Triangle in Sussex, the opening 3 rounds of the Netball Talent League began.  All teams played their first 3 matches of the season at the one venue. 

Weekend Match Reports

Match 1 vs Northern Thunder

Anticipation before facing Northern Thunder was high and after a strenuous warm up we was ready to take the court, starting 7 was Steffi Burt, Shaunagh Craig, Ellie Durcan, Mikki Austin, Megan Clarke and Rianna Reid after a strong start from both teams Thunder were narrowly in front going into first quarter time, the score was 9-8 to Thunder.  Second quarter Bobbi Simmonds comes on to WA and Marina Mensah onto WD, there was some brilliant linking between attack, centre court and defence but Thunder were too strong and going into half time the score was 23-16 to Thunder.   

Going into the third quarter more changes were made to try and stop Thunder increasing their lead, Holly Sims came on to GA and Bea Skingsley into GD, Mavericks worked hard in all areas of the court to try and decrease the gap but Thunder continued to score, going into the last quarter break the score was 34-28 to Thunder. The team stayed the same in the forth quarter to try and continue their hard work, but by this point Thunder were too far ahead and the fight back was unsuccessful, Final score 47-40, Mavericks lose for the first time in 15months!

Shooting Stats % - Steffi Burt 35/45 75%; Holly Sims 2/4 50%; Shaunagh Craig 3/4 75%.    Team 40/49 82%

Match 2 vs Team Northumbria

Before we knew it the second game against Northumbria was upon us, after an inspiring team talk from the Mavericks Youth coaches we were ready to take the court with a better attitude and determination than the first game.   Starting 7 were Sophie Hankin, Holly Sims, Ellie Durcan, Mikki Austin, Rov Allen, Megan Clarke, Marina Mensah.  After a strong start from Mavericks at all ends of the court they went into first quarter time leading 13 – 6.  Only one change going into the second quarter saw Clare Drakeford take the court at C, Mavericks continued to work hard and push ahead and going into half time Mavericks lead 25-19.   Going into the 3^rd quarter Shaunagh Craig come on to GA, Holly Sims on to WA and Jazz Hatherley onto WD, this third quarter saw a fight back come from Northumbria and this meant going into the last quarter the score was 35-32.   Going into the last quarter changed were made to make sure Mavericks come out with a win, Rov Allen comes on to C, Marin Mensah on as WD and Rianna Reid on to GK, this combination worked hard to grind out the win for Mavericks, Final score was 48-42.  Mavericks are back on track with a win!

A special Mentions goes out to Sophie Hankin and Jazz Hatherley , it was their first time taking the court for Mavericks youth and they both certainly held their own, Well done Sophie and Jazz!

Shooting Stats % - Sophie Hankin 39/49 80%; Holly Sims 5/11 45%; Shaunagh Craig 4/9 44%.  Team 48/69 70%

Match 3 vs Yorkshire Jets

The next day Mavericks woke up early ready to take on Yorkshire Jets and after another inspirational team talk we were determined to come out with another win. Starting 7 for this game was Steffi Burt, Sophie Hankin, Bobbi Simmonds, Mikki Austin, Rov Allen, Megan Clarke, Rianna Reid.   Both teams went out with intensity and determination, going into the first quarter break mavericks had edged ahead and the score was 16-12.   Going into the second quarter no changes were made, and Mavericks started to go to work pulling away on the score line, going into half time Mavericks were leading 34-26.

Going into the third quarter again no changes were made and after some strong defence and mid-court work, the shooters were able to convert their opportunities, going into the last quarter break Mavericks were up 52-39.   Going into the last quarter there were no changes made, the 7 were able to finish the job they had started, in the last quarter Mavericks really worked hard to pull away and score as many goals as possible.  A great team performance from everyone and amazing support from the bench meant that Mavericks won the last game.  The final score was 70-52.

Shooting Stats % Sophie Hankin 53/64 83%; Steffi Burt 17/20 85%; Team 70/84 83%

Well done to all of Mavericks Youth for this weekend!

Match Report Mikki Austin