Third time Grand for Mavs

Mavericks put the memory of back-to-back Grand Final defeats behind them with a 43-39 comeback victory over Loughborough Lightning.

England skipper inspires first Grand Final success

Mavericks put the memory of back-to-back Grand Final defeats behind them with a 43-39 comeback victory over Loughborough Lightning. Their success was built on a mighty defensive effort, led by England captain Amanda Newton, and some superb attacking from England stars Karen Atkinson and Louisa Brownfield, as they overturned a nine-goal deficit to claim their first Co-operative Netball Superleague title. The Hertfordshire side's win at the K2 in Crawley makes some amends for Mavericks' defeats in the previous two Grand Finals, when they lost to TeamBath on both occasions. The result was also an upset, after the Lightning ended the regular season on top of the league, with two wins over Mavericks to their credit. Newton and fellow internationals Naomi Siddall and Clare Elsley were in remarkable form once more for Mavericks, shutting down the space available to the Lightning attack and making interceptions at key points throughout the match.

Superb

But it was their international colleague Jo Harten who drew many plaudits from the capacity crowd for a superb shooting performance for Lightning, which kept the Loughborough side in contention right up to the final whistle. Her efforts, which included numerous midcourt interceptions as well as 24 of her side's goals, should have caught the eye of the international selectors, who were watching ahead of naming the England squad to face Malawi in a three-match Test series in two weeks' time. After a nervous start, it was Loughborough who settled into a rhythm first, moving out to 9-6 ahead at the end of the first quarter. Harten moved to GA for them in the second period, and her vision and accuracy put Mavericks on the back foot, as she fired her side nine goals ahead, to lead 19-10 midway through the period. But after a number of turnovers, it was Mavericks who retook the initiative, with another GA, Kiwi Michelle Hall, netting three crucial goals to put the Mavericks side right back in contention, 21-14 at half time. The momentum stayed with Mavericks through the third period, as they rediscovered their rhythm and their game plan. Anne Marie Muller and Karen Atkinson were tireless in attack, working the ball patiently across and around the circle to ensure that their shooters had the best possible scoring opportunity, and Hall and Brownfield duly obliged, netting 14 of 16 opportunities which came their way. A run of eight goals to one midway through the quarter put Mavericks right back in contention, and while Loughborough still led 31-28 at three quarter time, the capacity crowd sensed the opportunity for a famous win.

Composure

The final 15 minutes saw some of the best netball of the season played by both teams as they flung everything at taking the elusive title. Time and again, interceptions were made, only for the opposition to steal the ball straight back, but it was Mavericks who kept their composure to string together a run of nine goals midway through the quarter to lead 40-34 with four minutes remaining. Loughborough surged themselves, scoring four without response, but Mavericks were not to be denied a famous win, and with Brownfield maintaining her poise to take score three at the end of the quarter, the victory went to the Hatfield-based team, 43-39. Amanda Newton was named Co-operative Player of the match for her superb defensive work, which inspired Mavericks to their Grand Final win. Loughborough Lightning: GS Harten, GA James, WA Hampshire, C O Murphy, WD Clarke, GD Tomlin, GK Reid.
Changes/substitutions: GS A Wood, Harten to GA 4th Q: Harten to GS, James to GA, Murphy to WA, Clarke to C, WD Luck (after injury time out) Wood to GS, Harten to GA.
Substitutes (not used): K Murphy, Penny, Stephenson. Mavericks: GS Brownfield, GA M Wood, WA Atkinson, C Jones, WD Elsley, GD Newton, GK Siddall.
Changes/substitutions: 2nd Q WA Muller, Atkinson to C (after injury stoppage) GA M Hall 4th Q: Atkinson to WA, Jones to C.
Substitutes (not used): Gant, Higham, G Jones. Umpires: Judith Groves and Jo Kelly (reserve Louise Hiscocks)