Mavericks leave it late

Louisa Brownfield: 93 per cent shooting success

Ella Clarke landed a late shot to give Hertfordshire Mavericks a 46-45 comeback win over Northern Thunder and a place in the semi-final of the Co-operative Netball Superleague.

Louisa Brownfield hit 37 of 40 shots for a 93 per cent success rate for the visitors, while Karen Greig top-scoreed for Thunder with 20 from 30 attempts at the basket.

Mavericks head coach Maggie Jackson likened the match in Bury to a game of chess and when it came to the crunch the visitors were able to deliver the coup-de-grace.

In a game where quarter victories were swapped and shared, where tips and turnovers balanced out on the count-sheet, where goals and errors were traded in equal measure, only a cliche will cover it - netball was the winner.

The physical excellence of these teams was a TV treat and while there were naturally errors on both sides, there was the kind sublime interaction between people that only sport can express adequately. Seven players but one team, two teams and one exciting display of netball.

By the time the match reached the final 15 minutes, Mavericks were behind by three. As the clock ticked deep into the final minute of the match they went ahead; Thunder levelled at 45-45 but the visitors had possession when they needed it most. Maggie Jackson summed it up, "we were aware that we had the ball with 10 seconds to go and Ella Clarke scored the goal that counted."

Thunder's Kerry Almond admitted afterwards "I'm gutted we didn't win. I felt we were on top for three quarters it was our second quarter that let us down."

But the inspirational goal-keeper refused to let the result cloud Northern Thunder's performance. "We never let our heads drop when Mavericks came back at us," she said, "And the crowd kept us going. Good Luck Mavericks in the next game".

Fantastic netball

Northern Thunder's assistant coach, Suzy Chapman refused to be downbeat despite the heartbreaking loss. She said: "Obviously I'm extremely disappointed with the final result but not the performance as we showed the fans some fantastic netball."

"We kept out composure for most of the game and our transition from defence to attack was very quick."

It has been a impressive year for the side who have grown in strength as the games passed, something Suzy Chapman was keen to note, adding: "We are very proud of the journey we have travelled over the season it has been a great six month and great foundation for next year.

"Thanks for all the support we have received and we wish Mavericks all the luck for their playoff."

Goal-keeper Kerry Almond summed up the feelings of the players: "Gutted we didn't win," she said. "I felt we were on top for three quarters but it was the second that let us down." And she was proud to be part of that side, adding: "We never let our heads drop when Mavericks came back at us and the crowd kept us going."

The dictionary describes a maverick as 'an unorthodox, independent-minded person' which rather sums up the Hertfordshire side's coach Maggie Jackson who has consistently defied the odds and nay-sayers to take her side to the highest level in British club netball. "It was a brilliant spectators' game," she said. "Just what play-offs are all about."

We will see Mavericks play again this year, maybe twice, but first they must win a semi-final against the loser of Saturday's game between Surrey Storm and TeamBath.

Shooting stats:
Thunder 45/62 (73%). Karen Greig 20/30 = (67%); Charley Beenham 13/16 (81%); Anastascia Wilson 12/16 (75%)
Mavericks 46/54 (85%). Louisa Brownfield 37/40 (93%); Ella Clark 9/14 (64%)