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Hurricanes blown away

Image: Buchanan: wing attack for Brunel

Mavericks regrouped after their loss to Loughborough Lightning earlier in the week to dismiss Brunel Hurricanes 47-33.

Mavericks get back to winning ways at Guildford Spectrum Centre

Mavericks regrouped quickly after their disappointing loss to Loughborough Lightning earlier in the week to dismiss Brunel Hurricanes 47-33. They produced a clinical display of error-free netball at the Guildford Spectrum Centre on Friday night to get back to winning ways. Lindsay Press overcame her early-week jitters, which allowed a number of opportunities to slip away, to score 33 of her side's goals, and impressed despite the close attentions of England squad member and Hurricanes captain Naida Hutchinson. After edging a tight first quarter 10-9, Mavericks upped the pressure in the second quarter, with Mavericks' captain Naomi Siddall outstanding to restrict Hurricanes' GA Lara Welham to a single shot at goal for the quarter. In centre court, Mavericks were disciplined and controlled, while Hurricanes allowed themselves to be rushed into countless errors which the visitors capitalised on to devastating effect. Mavericks took the quarter 14-5 to leave Hurricanes trailing 24-14 at half time.

Competitive

Hurricanes were more competitive in the second half, with Donna Fearon now in partnership with Hutchinson in the defensive circle, and Katie Nicholls providing additional drive in attack, now at C. However, Mavericks resolve was strong, and with the veterans Muller and Jones using all their skills and guile to break free in attack, the quarter was packed with end to end action. Hurricanes kept pace with the visitors, but could not forge ahead, and tied the quarter at 11 goals apiece. Brunel introduced student Samantha Dick at C for the final quarter, and she fitted neatly into the Hurricanes attack. By now, though, the Mavericks attack was on song, and with Jenene Campbell taking several key interceptions at WD from her best friend and former Leyton clubmate Natalie Francis, now at WA for Brunel, the visitors maintained their impetus to take the quarter 12-9 and the win to move into third place in the league table.
Determination
Mavericks coach Maggie Jackson was impressed with her side's determination: "We knew what we had to do, and the squad all stepped up and delivered what we asked of them. "There will be stern challenges ahead in the new year, but we have showed today what we can do."
Not good enough
Meanwhile, her opposite number, Denise Holland was frank in her assessment of her side. "Tonight's performance is simply not good enough to win the Superleague," she said. "We were outclasses and need to work harder to keep possession and capitalise on the many gains that we were able to achieve." Starting line ups
Brunel Hurricanes: GS Joseph, GA Welham, WA Buchanan, C Francis, WD K Nichols, GD Bello, GK Hutchinson
Changes/substitutions: 3rd Q: Nichols to C, Bello to WD, Hutchinson to GD (back to GK after injury t/o), GK Fearon (to GD after injury t/o) 4th Q: Welham to GS, Buchanan to GA, Francis to WA, C Dick Mavericks: GS Press, GA Wiseman, WA Muller, C Jones, WD Campbell, GD Siddall, GK McFarlane
No changes/substitutions Shooting statistics:
Hurricanes: Buchanan 3/5, Joseph 11/13, Welham 20/24
Mavericks: Press 33/46, Wiseman 14/26 Umpires: Judith Groves and Jo Kelly

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