Mavericks move into top four as they extinguish Northumbria fight back
Round four of the FNSL started with a mid-table clash between Hertfordshire Mavericks and Team Northumbria. The visitors started the day one place above their more illustrious opponents, thanks to a superior goal average, both sides managing one win and two losses in their opening three matches. In what has already proven to be an unpredictable season, few were confidently selecting a winner of the match. The final score fails to tell the whole story of what was a fascinating encounter in which each side struggled to dominate. However, it was certainly the hosts who left the happier as they moved back into the top four in the league.
A cagey affair got underway in front of yet another capacity crowd in the Superleague this season with Alice Ewer and Toetsie Kamabatuku exchanging scores. Defence was on definitely on top in the early stages with some wayward passes being easily intercepted by the opposition. Sasha Corbin and Emma Woodings were battling hard in the mid-court and looking to motivate their sides and finally get the game flowing. Darcie Worsdale was looking threatening in the attacking circle but was not receiving the feeds and service to punish what had been a slow start from the hosts. With strong encouragement from a noisy home support, Mavericks began to convert their turnovers and pulled into an 8-5 lead after ten minutes as the transition started to click once the tempo lifted. Doing the basics better was proving a sound tactic for Karen Atkinson’s team and with the seconds ticking down in the opening quarter it was only a late double from Toetsie which kept the visitors in touch, trailing 12-9.
Northumbria shot out of the blocks in the second quarter with Worsdale this time hitting the quick double and the lead was back to 1. Continuing her great start to the season, the visitors’ captain Sam Holt was in a determined mood, and leading from the back with several great tips and intercepts. One particular leap and block causing the Aussie to yell a passionate ‘come on’. Frustratingly for the Aussie, her team were still conceding soft possession in the mid-court and were immediately undoing the hard work of the defence. At the other end, England international Lindsay Keable was in good form and was producing some excellent blocks of her own, though the turnover count remained incredibly high.
The scrappiness of the clash continued, the game was crying out for one side to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Some quick hands from Camilla Buchanan and Corbin allowed Ewer to score and take the lead to four and the home fans were starting to feel like their team were about to race clear. Lisa Stanley’s team had other ideas and a converted turnover from the reliable Worsdale took the gap back to 1. The pattern of play remained, as soon as Northumbria pegged the hosts back, they would instantly concede loose ball and be punished. Approaching the interval Steffi Burt linked well with Corbin to put Mavericks back in control with a 24-20 lead.
The biggest cheer of the evening was reserved for returning Mavericks' defender Naida Hutchinson. The announcement of her name to replace Josie Huckle brought roars of delight from the fans as they finally welcomed her back from injury. Another great start to the quarter from the visitors silenced the crowd as four goals drew them level at 24-24. It was the turn of the hosts to show their mental strength and they did so in abundance, replying with six un-responded goals of their own. In the space of five minutes Northumbria had brought themselves back into the match only for the hosts to knock the stuffing out of their opponents. The burst from Mavericks seemed to take the spirit out of the fight from their challengers, Buchanan started to control the mid-court and Toetsie was feeling the pressure and sending her shots short. Atkinson’s side were controlling the rhythm of the game and moving the ball quicker through the court was proving effective. The lead stretched to eight, 38-30 at the end of the third quarter.
With the hosts seemingly in control it would take another huge Northumbria comeback to salvage anything from the game. However, this time one was not to come. Scores were exchanged early on before the visitors continued to profligate off their own centre pass, conceding easy possession back to the Mavericks. Rose Morgan-Smith started to feed the duo of Ewer and Burt more consistently and the only negative in the final quarter was the sight of Morgan-Smith crumpled in a heap midway through the quarter. Thankfully, it was only a case of bad cramp and not as serious as first seemed. Ewer continued to look impressive in the circle and with game now secure she looked comfortable scoring from range and put the result beyond doubt, easing any lingering nerves for the home fans. It wasn’t the classiest of victories, but Atkinson’s side were clinical enough when they needed to be and safely moved into the top four. For Northumbria, it was another case of what may have been, with the five minute period in the third quarter costing them dear and allowing their opponents to leapfrog them in the table.
Hertfordshire Mavericks: GS - Burt, GA - Ewer, WA - Corbin, C - Morgan-Smith, WD - Buchanan, GD - Keable, GK - Huckle. Bench: Joseph, Haynes, Hutchinson, Leavers
Team Northumbria: GS - Kambatuku, GA - Worsdale, WA - Ewing, C - Brown, WD - Woodings, GD - Holt, GK - Penny. Bench: Guy, Kennedy, Johnson, Cameron, Neil
Shooting Stats:
Hertfordshire Mavericks:
Steffi Burt 36/47 - 77%, Alice Ewer 18/29 - 62%
Team Northumbria:
Toetsie Kambatuku 23/33 - 70%, Darcie Worsdale 19/28 - 68%
Umpires: Tracey Smith and Rachel Zillwood with Debbie King as reserve.