MATCHDAY PROGRAMME | Saracens Mavericks vs Cardiff Dragons - Saturday 1 June 2024

SARACENS MAVERICKS

ALIYAH ZARANYIKA

BE BACK AT HOME.

COACH’S WELCOME

BUCHANAN CAMILLA HEAD

welcome back to HSV this afternoon.

I said post-match last week that we were going to be playing for pride for the rest of this season.

We’re all disappointed that we haven’t been able to reach the play-offs this season, but there is still so much more to play for heading into these final three games.

In all of our last three away matches, we’ve shown glimpses of what we can do as a side but have unfortunately not come out on the right side of the scoreboard.

It’s been about trying to find consistency in our game and, whilst we’ve come close, we still haven’t put together a full 60minute performance that we’ve been striving for.

However, there has been more than enough in the performances for myself, the coaching staff and the players to know that we

are on the right track. We’re making gradual improvements next week and beginning to show a clear understanding of the structures we won’t to impose on the court.

Heading into these three challenging final home matches, we want to showcase what we’re about as a side, as we grow and build for next season and beyond.

I’m incredibly excited about where this group can go in the coming years and know that the players are all determined to put in a performance, we know we can achieve this afternoon.

We announced last week that Emma Thacker will miss the remainder of the season with a slight injury. It’s really disappointing for Emma, as she has been really impressive since arriving at the club this year. However, with Sophie Egbaran stepping in onloan from Loughborough, I’m thrilled to be giving another young talent exposure at this top level.

WE WANT TO END THIS SEASON ON A REAL HIGH.

GIBSON JODIE CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

We say it every week, but there really is something special about playing in front of all of you here at HSV.

It’s been a challenging few weeks on the road and I know I speak for the rest of the squad when I say that we are all so happy to have three home matches to finish off the season.

It’s been a season of ups and downs, but one that we can take some real positives and some real lessons from.

As a group, we’ve been working and developing our structures in training every week and that has been no different heading into today’s match with Cardiff Dragons.

Having drawn with them at the start of the season and seen how impressive they have been throughout the campaign; I know that this is going to be a really tough encounter this afternoon. It is one that

we are all relishing though and one that the entire group is up for.

Whilst we know that the top four is now beyond our reach, we still want to end this season on a high and show what we’re about as a side.

We know that playing at home gives us an extra bit of motivation and we’re determined to put in a performance that will get you all off your feet and cheering along.

As a group, we’re all gutted for Emma Thacker to have picked up an injury, but it’s been brilliant to welcome such a talent as Sophie Egbaran into the mix for these last few games.

We know that there are challenges to come on the court and that we have some big fixtures ahead of us. We want to put in those performances to try and pick up some key results and climb the table.

SCENE SETTER

Both sides this afternoon will be aiming to finish their seasons on a high.

Whilst the play-offs may be out of reach, both Saracens Mavericks and Cardiff Dragons will want

It was a match that ebbed and flowed, with both teams having moments where they were on top and moments where they had to fight back.

In the end, it finished level,

Dragons have had a strange season in many ways.

Four wins and two draws from their fifteen games thus far may sound like a modest return, but in

win ended up passing them by.

There’ll be determined to pick up more wins heading into the final three games of the season.

The same in truth can be said of Mavericks as well. It was a case of home comforts for Camilla Buchanan’s side, as they secured back-to-back home wins against Strathclyde Sirens and Team Bath, but since then, they have suffered defeats to Leeds Rhinos, Manchester Thunder and Severn Stars.

Again though, simply noting that the side suffered a loss doesn’t tell the full story.

Against Rhinos, Mavericks started at a serious pace,

A week later against Manchester Thunder, Mavericks again showed that they are able to mix it with the best in the league, as they kept themselves within touching distance of the table-toppers, before eventually slipping to another 10-goal defeat.

Last Friday was a case of copy and paste again, as Mavericks dominated large portions of the fixture, only for a third quarter lose of concentration to haunt them, as they suffered a 4goal defeat to a Severn Stars side that all but confirmed their place in the top four.

For both of these sides then, this season has had

and pinpoint moments where they could have secured more results, but they will also know that on their day, they can mix it with anyone.

This afternoon is a chance to prove that they can continue to build that momentum.

THE OPPOSITION

It’s fair to say that Cardiff Dragons have made people sit up and take notice this season.

Results may not have gone their way at key moments, but the Welsh-based side have showcased their growth as a group in nearly every match they’ve played this season.

It was a summer of huge change for Jill McIntosh’s side.

The Head Coach arrived midway through the 2023 campaign and has injected fresh optimism and faces into her squad this season, including former Maverick Beth Ecuyer-Dale.

Nine players left the Welsh franchise in the offseason, but McIntosh has shown her recruitment aptitude, as well as her coaching ability, with some superb pick-ups.

Welsh captain Nia Jones returned this season ten years after making her debut for the club, whilst the signing of Team Bath attacker Hannah Passmore has given Dragons a completely different proposition in the shooting circle.

Dragons may sit in 8th place, one position below Mavericks heading into the final three rounds of the season, but they have been one of the surprise packages throughout the campaign.

Many expected them to be struggling towards the bottom end of the table, but until just a few weeks ago, they had still retained hope of a play-off push.

Having finished bottom of the standings in two of the last three seasons, this Dragons side have been

determined to show their growth and they have certainly done that, with a hearty roar!

Georgia Rowe has been in impressive goal scoring form, whilst Jacqui Newton has picked up 23 intercepts throughout the campaign, as well as 54 deflections and 63 gains.

they do best.

Then in the middle of it all are Jones and EcuyerDale. Both mid-courters have plenty of experience in the NSL and their composure on the ball and across the court has given McIntosh plenty of options and crucially, depth, when selecting her sides this season.

In Khanyisa Chawane, they have a player who is always eager to get the ball into the shooting circle, creating opportunities for Rowe

Victories over Leeds Rhinos, Strathclyde Sirens, Team Bath and Severn Stars have shown that McIntosh’s side are no longer a team that are eager to punch above their weight.

Instead, they are now a side that are incredibly difficult to break down, with strength across the court.

Whilst they will be disappointed with recent

that have the ability to beat anyone on their day.

With matches at home to Leeds Rhinos and Team Bath to round off the season, McIntosh will be confident her side can finish their campaign on a winning note.

If they do that, Dragons could be looking at their best season in a long time. If they do, few will argue

ZARANYIKA ALIYAH THE INTERVIEW

Having made her 50th appearance for Mavericks and been named as part of the Future Roses squad for the 2025 season, it’s fair to say that it’s been a big few weeks for Aliyah Zaranyika .

The young-gun at Wing Defence has had to bide her time this season but has more than taken her chance in recent weeks, cementing herself as one of the first names on the team sheet.

Confident, composed and with the ability to seemingly pluck an opposition pass out of the air despite appearing to be miles away from the ball on court, Zaranyika has continued to impress and showcase what she can do in a Mavericks dress.

She may be quiet and reserved in nature, but on the court, Zaranyika has made her presence felt, explaining that she is just enjoying her extended run in a starting dress.

“I’m grateful to always start, but it’s been really cool to get a regular run of starts in the last few

Roses and Futures squads hotly contested, the youngster admits that she has never taken her place for granted.

“I’m really excited to be in the Futures squad. It’s been a challenging season,

play a similar starring role for the Futures as she has played for Mavericks in recent weeks.

Having come up through the pathway, she made her 50th appearance for the club last weekend,

and admitted that she could barely believe that she had secured the accolade.

“Getting my 50th cap was unreal. When I was younger and I started at Mavs, I could only dream of playing for the NSL team. To now have 50 appearances for the team is just really incredible. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities and everyone who has believed in me.”

Today marks the first time in nearly a month that Mavericks have been back at Hertfordshire Sports Village.

With consecutive home fixtures against local rivals Surrey Storm and London Pulse to follow to round off the season, Zaranyika is hoping that the home crowd can spur her side on.

“I’m so glad that we get to finish the season in front of our home fans. It’s been a long few weeks on the road with trips to places like Leeds and Manchester, so to be back at home in

GETTING MY 50TH CAP WAS UNREAL. I’M SO GRATEFUL. “

improvements we’ve been looking to make in the last few weeks.”

The run of away fixtures has been tough for Mavericks, with defeats to Leeds Rhinos, Manchester Thunder and Severn Stars that have ended the hopes of securing a play-off place.

In all three fixtures, Mavericks have had incredibly impressive moments, only for lapses in concentration to allow the opposition to take control of the match.

learn from recent performances and implement their structures for the full 60 minutes on court.

“The last few games have been tough. We’re quite disappointed in the results and the performance we’ve shown in sections of the matches. Last weekend, we played well, but it was that third quarter that let us down.”

“We’ve played some tough games and improved on certain scorelines. We’ve also shown we can implement our structures but it’s also about who we are when we do that. We need to get that consistency and that’s something we’re working towards for the last few games.”

Going into today’s encounter, Zaranyika will want those structures to be utilized to their fullest, as Mavericks look to finish the campaign on a high.

If they do manage to secure a result this afternoon, it will set them up nicely for a final home run of the campaign.

PLAYER PROFILES

IF

MAVERICK

THE BIG PICTURE

INE-MARI VENTER PREPARES FOR HER 50TH APPEARANCE FOR MAVERICKS.

PATHWAY NEWS

THE PATHWAY PROGRAMME HERE AT SARACENS MAVERICKS REMAINS AS IMPORTANT AS EVER.

Just ask Training Partner Anna Fairclough how important minutes on court for the Mavericks Pathway have been this season.

The young Scottish defender has had her fair share of opportunities in the NSL squad this campaign, after an early season injury to Peace Akinyemi, but it has been

her time playing for the Mavericks Pathway sides that has proved to be invaluable.

Any young player will know that in the development stage of your career, it is vital that you play as much as you can at the highest level you can, and Fairclough explained just how playing for the Mavericks Pathway sides had helped her do that throughout her debut campaign for her new side.

“The pathway is so important to me. They have given me so much opportunity to play matches and put into practice the things I have learnt at NSL level. The coaches and team we had this year was exceptional. I felt so lucky to be part of

the U21s squad and in such a successful season. ”

Fairclough arrived at Mavericks in the offseason as a training partner and highlighted just how much she’d loved being in the environment.

“It's been really good. It was a new challenge to enter a new team and be part of the Netball Super League squad, but it has been amazing. I have loved the environment, and I have learnt so much from the coaches and other players around me.”

Upon arriving at Hertfordshire Sports Village, Fairclough admitted that she was initially focused on making her Netball Super League debut, instead wanting to grow and improve in the environment.

When she finally made her debut though, in front of the home crowd, she admitted that it was an experience like no other.

“It was quite surreal but also so exciting. It was so

good because I made it at in HSV in front of a home crowd, and the support was incredible. The team had been so welcoming and supportive it just felt amazing to be part of this in a match, too. “

Playing plenty of netball at a young age is crucial in the development of any player and for Fairclough, in a key defensive position, the chance to play regularly for the pathway sides, as well as training and learning alongside the likes of Razia Quashie and Vicki Oyesola has proved to be invaluable.

The Scotswomen explained that having different voices and outlooks from coaches within the same key structure of Mavericks had also been crucial for her development.

“I am so grateful that I got to play both this year and have lots of different coaching inputs across both the senior and

pathway team. I think I have learnt so much technically, but the most important thing has been the connections with the rest of your team and working with your other defender. At NSL level, this is essential because your opposition are so dominant that you have to be able to work together and communicate to break their attacking unit.”

With three home games left of the season in the NSL, Fairclough will be keen to continue learning.

SQUADS MATCHDAY

Peace AKINYEMI

Jodie GIBSON

Vicki OYESOLA

Razia QUASHIE

DEFENCE

Lucy HOWELLS

Nansi KUTI

Leah MIDDLETON

Jacqui NEWTON

MID-COURT

Georgia LEES

Indya MASSER

Ellie RATTU

Aliyah ZARANYIKA

Khanyisa CHAWANE

Beth ECUYER-DALE

Nia JONES

Ellie MCDONALD

ATTACK

Britney CLARKE

Sophie EGBARAN

Kira ROTHWELL

Ine-Mari VENTER

Hannah PASSMORE

Georgia ROWE

Laura RUDLAND

Phillipa YARRANTON