LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING
BUCHANAN
WELCOME TO HSV FOR THIS AFTERNOON’S ENCOUNTER WITH ENGLAND THORNS. IT’S SET TO BE A THRILLING MATCH.
I was really pleased with the majority of our display last weekend against Celtic Dragons. It was a match that we targeted as a must -win and I was really pleased with how the squad applied themselves on court.
If you look at where we were as a side after the opening game against Severn Stars and compare it to the performance we put in last weekend, the improvement has been significant.
Despite the positives from last weekend, I still want to see the side develop the connections on court and really stick in the match for the full sixty minutes.
We’re improving game-by-game and we’re at a point in the season now where I believe that we can really start to kick on as a side.
I’m really excited for this afternoon’s fixture against the Thorns. This will be a tough test and a really great opportunity to further develop our connections and strategies on court.
Thorns vice-captain Tommy Wiseman is one of our training partners here at Mavericks, so I know that there will be some friendly rivalry throughout the day from both teams, as all players on court look to show what they are capable of.
Next Friday, we face our longest away day of the season, as we make the journey to Strathclyde. I have no doubt that the work we will be able to put in this afternoon will contribute hugely to our performance next Friday.
Enjoy the game
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SCENE SETTER
SARACENS MAVERICKS WILL BECOME THE FIRST NETBALL SUPER LEAGUE SIDE TO TAKE ON ENGLAND THORNS THIS AFTERNOON AT HSV.
After the trials and tribulations of a hectic start to the Netball Super League season, this afternoon’s match against the Thorns offers something of a different proposition for Camilla Buchanan’s side.
The Thorns face Saracens Mavericks this afternoon, before travelling to take on Celtic Dragons on Monday and there is a keen sense to see the side in action, following their victory over England’s Future Roses back at the start of 2023.
Next Friday, Mavericks will be making the trip to Strathclyde to take on the Sirens in another important NSL fixture, meaning that this afternoon’s match will offer an opportunity to further test out combinations and structures against a side that present something of an unknown challenge.
Goal Shooter Ine-Mari Venter is currently in red-hot form and the South African will be looking to continue the streak against the Thorns this afternoon.
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SARACENS MAVERICKS PATHWAY NEWS
Super Saturday on 4th March saw our three NPL face Severn Stars at home in front of a fantastic crowd.
The U17s put in a whole squad performance, making it two wins from two in a 55-40 victory. Across the court they fought hard to win ball, they were creative in their play and were clinical with their shooting, with all twelve players adding to the performance. Halle Brown was named as Coaches Player of the Match after an impressive display.
The U19s were not able to secure a similar result, as they narrowly missed out on a win, going down 48-44. They fought to the end and the defence did all they could to create a turnover and opportunities for the team, but it ultimately wasn’t enough against a competitive Stars side. Even in defeat, there were some strong performances across the court, with Makeda Thomas named as Players Player of the Match.
The tension didn’t stop there, as the U21s edged a nailbiter 43-40.
This was definitely a game of two halves which saw the home side have a fantastic start, before Severn Stars came right back into the match, especially in the final ten minutes. This was a great game for spectators, but probably not one that was good for the hearts of those supporting Mavericks!
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We feel that in every match, we’re continuing to build as a group.
THE BIG INTERVIEW
Christina Shaw is expecting a “real spectacle” at HSV this afternoon.
Last weekend, the side put on a show for the home crowd, as they secured a comprehensive victory over Celtic Dragons. Shaw was pleased with how her side adapted against a different style of play.
“We were definitely pleased with the result last weekend. It was interesting to see how we matched up against a slightly different style of play to many other teams in the league, so we’ll take lots of learnings from that too.”
The Thorns will offer a different threat again this weekend, with Shaw explaining that they will pose a different threat again this weekend.
“We are super excited to get out on court against Thorns. They are a great opposition and extremely athletic, so this is something we will need to adapt too. It’s going to be a very aerial game, so we will definitely want to match up in that respect.”
With this fixture being a friendly, it allows Shaw and her teammates the opportunity to continue to build different parts of their game.
With the likes of Monique Meyer and Jodie Gibson in top form over recent rounds, the onus this weekend is on the rest of the squad to build on their defensive work and secure more ball across the court.
“We really want to put into practice some specific focus points from the Dragons game. We are also looking to build on other aspects of our game, including promoting more turnover across the whole court and cutting out errors.”
Shaw is one of a number of new faces in the Mavericks squad this season and she already feels that her game is developing under the guidance of Head Coach Camilla Buchanan and the players around her.
“I am really enjoying working with this Mavs group. There is so much knowledge and experience within the team and management, so I’m building all aspects of my game which is super positive. I am looking forward to seeing what we can do for the rest of the season.”
That knowledge base can only continue to be a positive, as Shaw and this season’s other new signings continue to make a big impression in the black and red of Saracens Mavericks.
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TODAY’S OPPONENTS ENGLAND THORNS
THE ENGLAND THORNS ARE PREPARING FOR THEIR FIRST MATCH AGAINST A NETBALL SUPER LEAGUE SIDE, HAVING ALREADY PLAYED THE AUSTRALIAN MEN’S SIDE LAST YEAR.
The Thorns are an all-men’s netball team and played a crucial part in helping England prepare for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. They recently played their inaugural international fixture in the autumn, against the Australian men’s side, before facing England’s Future Roses at the start of 2023.
The leadership team was also announced, this week, with Thom Boss leading the side as captain. Meanwhile Tommy Wiseman, who trains with Mavericks and James McClelland have been named as the vice-captains.
With plenty of recent success, the Thorns will be up for this one today.
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NETBALL SUPER LEAGUE LEAGUE TABLE
ROUND SIX FIXTURES
TEAM BATH VS SURREY STORM
LEEDS RHINOS VS MANCHESTER THUNDER
LONDON PULSE VS STRATHCLYDE SIRENS
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PLAYER PROFILES 2022/23
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ELIZA BARCLAY BRITNEY CLARKE SASHA CORBIN PIPPA DIXON BETH ECUYER-DALE JODIE GIBSON GA/ GS C/ WA/ WD WD/ GD/ GK WD/ GD/ C GS WA/ C TRAINING PARTNER TRAINING PARTNER
11 MONIQUE MEYER ELLIE KELK GEORGIA LEES LISA MATHER RAZIA QUASHIE KIRA ROTHWELL GEORGIA LEES INE-MARI VENTER ALIYAH ZARANYIKA GK/GD GS/ GA GD/ GK GD/ WD/ GK GD/ GK GA/ GS WA/ C C/ WD TRAINING PARTNER GA/GS/WA
MAVS RACE AHEAD TO SEE OFF DRAGONS
SARACENS MAVERICKS EXTINGUISHED CELTIC DRAGONS' FIRE, WITH A WHOLE-SQUAD EFFORT TO REMAIN UNBEATEN AT HSV.
With both sides looking for their second win of the season, Mavs versus Dragons promised to be an impassioned contest. However, Mavericks dominated throughout as the Welsh side failed to mount a challenge to a confident Mavericks side.
Head Coach, Camilla Buchanan, was pleased with the performance in a game they’d targeted as a must-win:
“I'm very happy with the three points today and how we’re building, and we've grown. Our connections in the attack end are getting stronger. Defensively that’s the first time we’ve played a rotational circle and I was really pleased with how Jodie and Monique worked that circle.”
However, Buchanan also identified areas for growth in the performance.
“Some of our basic errors crept in today so those things need to be fixed because we’re not going to be afforded legroom in the future. Keeping our foot on the accelerator consistently is something that we need to learn how to do. There were pockets of brilliance today and - as I’m sure every coach in the league is probably saying at the moment - we need to learn how to string them together for longer periods of time.”
Mavericks reaped the rewards of starting with the same seven they’ve begun the last few games with. Connections between the players were strong across the court throughout.
The Hertfordshire side extended their lead in the second quarter as players worked hard in every third. The visitors from Cardiff made a defensive substitution to frustrate Venter and Rothwell, but to no avail, as Mavericks continued to energise the home crowd after the halftime break.
In the third quarter Aliyah Zaranyika took a break, with vice-captain Beth Ecuyer-Dale coming into the mid-court.
Aided by some stand-out feeds into the circle by Sasha Corbin, the black and reds rewarded the fans vocal support, by stretching the lead to seventeen points after 45 minutes of play, before seeing out the final quarter with aplomb.
Monique Meyer was awarded the Version2 Player of the Match after a superb display and Buchanan was quick to credit her defensive maestro.
“I think Monique was outstanding today in terms of one-on-one pressure and some of the balls she came out with.”
After the South African’s defensive masterclass, Christina Shaw came on in her stead, joined by Britney Clarke and Georgia Lees in the final quarter, as Mavericks clocked up a convincing second home victory.
After a busy nine days Mavericks can enjoy a break from league matches this weekend, as they take on England Thorns.
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SARACENS MAVERICKS COMMUNITY CORNER
Our Masterclasses always prove to be a popular event, with the opportunity to learn from some of our Mavericks stars!
Make sure to join Jodie Gibson on 6th April for a Defensive Masterclass, with Kira Rothwell and Sasha Corbin also hosting sessions in the coming months. Book now to avoid missing out.
Click here to view our upcoming Masterclasses
up in April, across a number of locations.
Camps are on sale for £37.50 in Bishop’s Stortford, Hatfield, Bedford and Chelmsford.
Click here to view our upcoming camps
This afternoon, Tamsin Greenway is hosting our first CPD session of the season. There are even more sessions coming up soon, including on 22nd April, when Colette Thomson looks at working harder for longer to create turnovers. It’s an amazing opportunity to learn from one of the best, so book your spot today.
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Click here to book onto our CPD Workshop
