Hertfordshire Mavericks regained top spot in the FIAT Netball Superleague after a hard-fought 46-38 victory over Celtic Dragons.
Dragons defeated after scrappy contest
Hertfordshire Mavericks regained top spot in the FIAT Netball Superleague after a hard-fought 46-38 victory over Celtic Dragons.
The Welsh side were in the game until late on but the hosts eventually prevailed after a scrappy contest.
Mavericks surged ahead in the early stages as their speed of ball was niftily converted, but by the quarter whistle Dragons had rallied to make the difference seven goals.
The ball was turned over plenty of times in the second quarter as Mavericks sent passes into space without finding a pair of hands.
Dragons continued to fight back and although neither side really shone during the second 15 minutes, the game was developing into an interesting battle.
The visitors were revitalised after a half-time chat from head coach Melissa Hyndman and were now turning over and converting as they narrowed the gap to just two goals.
Louisa Brownfield was temporarily forced out of action with a hand injury and Dragons capitalised on her absence to take control of the third quarter.
Steady
When Brownfield was reintroduced at GS it steadied the play but Celtic still won the quarter 10-7.
Mavericks were only five points clear heading into the final quarter but pulled away by three more to seal the win.
"Well they (Mavericks) deserved it. They just got the mental edge on us," Dragons head coach Melissa Hyndman said.
"I think this is the difference, why Wales are the way they are they need to harden up - plain and simple unfortunately. We had that game in the bag - in the bag. But mentally my players are not strong enough, full-stop."
Mavericks boss Maggie Jackson added: "From a coaching point of view, from a players point of view it was a horrible game. It was a very stop to start game.
"If I was a spectator I would have hated it, it was ugly and there was no or very little consistent skill - there just a lot of whistle. Celtic Dragons did their homework on us."
