Saracens Mavericks vs Manchester Thunder - 26 March 2023 - NSL Rd9

LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING

HEAD COACH’S

WELCOME CAMILLA BUCHANAN

GOOD AFTERNOON AND A VERY WARM WELCOME TO HSV FOR THIS AFTERNOON’S CLASH WITH MANCHESTER THUNDER.

I think we’ve all just about recovered from the drama of Friday night against Team Bath!

We certainly made it hard for ourselves with the gap we allowed them to build, but I was delighted with the grit that the side showed to pull it back and secure the victory.

Whilst the start wasn’t exactly ideal, the ability of the side to pull out the victory in difficult circumstances was particularly pleasing.

We are all aware of the challenge we face this afternoon against Manchester Thunder, but we know that the home crowd will cheer us on every step of the way. Thunder are a side that deservedly secured the league title last season and they are just as formidable an opponent this season too.

We’re very honest with ourselves about where we are at as a side. We are continuing to build and, whilst there will be some bumps in the road, we are firmly on an upward trajectory.

This weekend, the whole of the NSL is also celebrating our international colours and our international stars.

We have a richly diverse group that always do the dress proud. We represent our international colours with pride and I am privileged to coach a group like this, that come together as a team no matter what.

We can’t wait to be back on the court and to put on another show for all of you.

Enjoy the game

SCENE SETTER

JUST TWO DAYS AFTER A PULSATING VICTORY OVER TEAM BATH, SARACENS MAVERICKS WELCOME CHAMPIONS MANCHESTER THUNDER TO HSV.

It’s always a tense affair when these two sides meet, as last season’s encounters proved.

Despite suffering a defeat to Surrey Storm, Manchester Thunder have been as strong as ever so far this season, whilst Mavericks are beginning to build some momentum following Friday’s victory in Bath. But, they face a tough challenge this afternoon against the champions and will no doubt need the support of the home crowd.

If Mavericks are to secure victory this afternoon, it would be a significant statement of intent, whilst for Thunder, a victory would go a long way to firming up their space in those play-off places.

There are match-ups all over the court to whet the appetite. However, with Thunder having not played for a week and Mavs having played on Friday night, fatigue could potentially play a factor in the final outcome.

SARACENS MAVERICKS PATHWAY NEWS

It’s been another hugely impressive few weeks for our Mavericks Pathway players, both on and off the court.

Ziana Butt was awarded with the London Sport Volunteer of the Year award this week, after also being named in the EMMNA Mixed Netball for

returned home with two away victories, after a 55-44 victory.

It wasn’t to be for the U17s at home though, as they went down 43-42 in a nailbiter at Queenswood School. With strong performances throughout, the future is certainly looking bright.

group.

THE BIG INTERVIEW

Already named as the club’s Player of the Month for February, it’s fair to say that Jodie Gibson has already made a sizable impression in Mavericks colours this season.

Whilst certainly not the tallest of defensive players, Gibson more than makes up for that with her speed and agility around the court. She was the first to admit that she is loving pulling on the dress this season.

“I love it here so much. I feel like I’m building every season and my enjoyment is showing on the court. I’m so proud to wear the Saracens Mavericks dress and I want to put in a performance to be proud of each week.”

Reflecting on being named as player of the month, Gibson couldn’t help but express her pride, before explaining that everything she does is with the aim of helping the team.

“I’m so honoured to have been named as player of the month, but everything is about giving back to this team. I love playing with them and we’re already building such a special bond on and off court. I’m just really excited to see where we can take it now as we look to keep improving.”

Friday night in Bath was a rollercoaster for the side and the fans, with Mavericks pulling themselves back into the contest, before edging ahead to seal a first away victory of the season. Gibson admitted that it wasn’t the best performance from her side, but it was one that has given them plenty of room to grow.

“It felt really good. It wasn’t a perfect performance, but we showed so much resilience as a team and we’ve got a great chance today to work on some areas of the performance.”

Gibson has already formed two strong partnerships with defensive signings Christina Shaw and Monique Meyer. With Razia Quashie due to return shortly from injury, there are a plethora of options for Mavericks at the back.

“I love playing with Monique and Christina. They are new to the squad, and they bring so much talent to the group as well. We’re really developing the connections and I’m excited to see where we can take it to now. We’ve got Razia to come back from injury as well, which gives Camilla another combination to utilise and more strength in depth in the defensive third.”

TODAY’S OPPONENTS

MANCHESTER THUNDER

NSL CHAMPIONS MANCHESTER THUNDER ARE ALREADY LOOKING LIKE THEY ARE FIRMLY IN THE HUNT TO RETAIN THEIR TITLE THIS SEASON.

Karen Greig’s side beat Loughborough

Lightning in last season’s final to complete a perfect campaign . They’ve started well this season too, with six victories to their name.

Lenize Potgieter already has 287 goals in the league, whilst Natalie Metcalf has provided 189 feeds to keep her side ticking over.

The two meetings between the sides last season were close affairs, with Thunder edging to a three goal victory at HSV, before securing a victory at home against Mavs.

If Thunder are to retain their crown, then this will be a game that they be targeting to win.

NETBALL SUPER LEAGUE LEAGUE TABLE

ROUND EIGHT RESULTS

TEAM BATH 62-66 SARACENS MAVERICKS

LEEDS RHINOS 51-53 SEVERN STARS

LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING 63-52 SURREY STORM

LONDON PULSE VS CELTIC DRAGONS

PLAYER PROFILES 2022/23

MAVS BATTLE BACK TO SEAL THE WIN

IT’S NOT ABOUT HOW YOU START; IT’S HOW YOU FINISH. WELL, SARACENS MAVERICKS CERTAINLY PROVED THAT OLD ADAGE TRUE, AS THEY WORKED THEIR WAY BACK FROM A SIX-GOAL DEFICIT TO SECURE A FIRST AWAY VICTORY OF THE SEASON.

A week on from a disappointing performance away in Glasgow, Head Coach Camilla Buchanan kept faith with the same starting seven from the off and it seemed to have done the trick, with Sasha Corbin combining well with Ine-Mari Venter and Kira Rothwell, to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Halfway through the first quarter, Mavs edged their way into a two-goal lead, with the imperious Jodie Gibson doing what she has done all season, in winning loose ball for her side.

Mavs though, failed to capitalise on this.

Halfway through the second quarter and, staring down the barrel of a nine-goal deficit, things looked like they could be about to unravel for Mavericks, with only the work of Gibson in defence saving her side from a greater deficit.

With little under four minutes of the quarter left, Mavericks introduced Christina Shaw at Goalkeeper, freeing up Gibson and it seemed to do the trick, as Mavericks began to haul themselves back into the match with a flurry of goals in quick succession. Despite the improvements in performance though, Mavs were still chasing the game at half-time.

Into the third quarter and things were moving at breakneck speed, with both sides trading goals in a topsy-turvy affair. Throughout it all though, the calming presence of Zaranyika at Wing Defence was allowing her side to keep things flowing. It was certainly doing the trick for Mavs too, with Venter winding up for a series of long-range shots that drew her side within two, heading into a titanic final quarter.

It was another Mavericks alteration that injected further pace into the match, with Sasha Corbin moving to Centre to accommodate Georgia Lees at Wing Attack, with the replacement proving to be a bundle of energy throughout the final quarter.

There seemed to be a sense of inevitability as time went on, with Lees combining well with the other attacking players, to allow Venter to continue to keep her side within reach of Bath.

With ten minutes to go, they drew level, as Kira Rothwell slotted home after a trademark

Bath responded though, to snatch a two-goal lead back as the game swung back and forth.

With just a few minutes to go, Shaw took a significant blow to the head, that left her with bruising around her eye, forcing her from the field.

It was a cruel way to leave the court for the impressive Shaw but if anything, it seemed to spur her side on, as Corbin secured a crucial turnover, allowing Venter to edge her side ahead.

Lees again was in the thick of the action, as she fed the ball in for Venter and Rothwell to add a few more goals to the total, as Mavericks held on for a crucial victory.

Whilst there will still be points to improve upon heading into today’s clash with Manchester Thunder, this was a significant victory on the road for Mavs, and a performance filled with grit and desire.

SARACENS MAVERICKS COMMUNITY CORNER

After the success of our first CPD session with Tamsin Greenway, we’re looking forward to welcoming you to our next two sessions on 22nd April, with Colette Thomson MBE hosting a session on creating turnovers and Bern Palmer and Sheelagh Redpath running an officiating workshop.

With the price of the session including matchday admission, make sure you don’t miss out!

We have some amazing Easter camps coming up in April, across a number of locations.

Camps are on sale for £37.50 in Bishop’s Stortford, Hatfield, Bedford and Chelmsford.

If you’re in Milton Keynes, make sure to sign up to the session on 13th April at Oakgrove School.

Click here to view our upcoming camps

Why not sign up for one of our fantastic festivals in May?

On 1st May, we are hosting a club festival for U11 and U13s, ahead of the Mavericks vs Loughborough NSL match.

On 22nd May, we are hosting a schools festival for years 5 and 6 ahead of the match against Team Bath,