Match report: Mavericks no match for Storm
24 March 2012
Surrey Storm overcame Hertfordshire Mavericks on Friday evening in a tight encounter in Hatfield, taking 3 points in a 42-48 win and returning to top spot in the Fiat Superleague table.
The Hertfordshire outfit knew that they needed to go out all guns blazing if they were going to take anything from the game and that they did, building a 6-5 lead in the opening 8 minutes. Mavericks made the most of too many Storm errors in the attacking third, with poor passing and decision making meaning that Storm made a slow start to the game. With 10 minutes gone in the 1st quarter the defensive pairing of Holland and Reid began to get into their stride and keep the home side from developing a significant lead, while the attacking line-up of Greenway, Dunn and Cookey were still failing to convert chances created. Storm pulled back to equal the score line at 10-10, but a last second Mavericks goal allowed them to take an 11-10 lead from the 1st quarter.
Storm returned to the court for the 2nd quarter with a firmer attacking force and, with some equally effective defensive work, built a 3 goal lead thanks to some well used turnovers created by the quick reactions of Seaton and Trippick. The lack of patience in attacking play from the 1st quarter was a distant memory and Storm force Mavericks into a lot of ball chasing around the court, with many long balls being fed to Dunn under the posts. Cookey worked tirelessly to create space for the Storm attack but problems were still apparent with constancy and transition through the court. The Mavericks defence were particualy physical and prevented Storm from taking a 7 point lead into the half time break, instead forcing them to settle it at 18-23.
Coach Greenway insisted that changes were made for the third quarter and opted for a rotating circle moving herself to GA, Cookey to GS and bringing Ainsworth into WA. The changes caused a headache for the Mavericks defence, who remained tough on their feet causing Trippick to take an early 3rd quarter wipeout! Despite this Ainsworth and Trippick began to move the ball quicker through the court and create acres of space in the circle, with Holland and Reid feeding more consistent balls through from clean turnovers. Storm opened up and 8 point lead, their biggest margin of the game, taking advantage of the home side’s slopping passage of play. Mavericks called a late timeout but the stop in play didnt cause concern for Storm as they continued to flourish ending the quarter 12 points ahead- 25-37.
Storm made further changes for the final quarter, bringing Dunn back under the posts and resting work horse captain Becky Trippick. With the game at a comfortable advantage Storm began the quarter going goal for goal. Joseph, new to GS for Mavericks, gave them an opportunity to put a long ball into the circle and with nothing to lose they began to feed better balls into the attacking third. Storm were having their own difficulties at the other end of the court, faced with some interesting calls and a still full on defence. As the quarter went on Storm took their foot off the pedal and Mavricks took advantage of seeing more of the ball. Despite conceding the last 5 goals of the game Storm held on and took a 42-48 victory.
Following the game player-coach Tamsin Greenway said: "I wasn’t happy with patches of the game, the way we started and the way we drifted in and out of task. When we're on we're hard to beat but when we put out performances like that it’s frustrating. Having said that I think the team dealt with some tough defensive pressure and interesting calls throughout the game. We kept plugging away and looking for answers. Bottom line is we won, it doesn’t always have to be pretty and it’s another step towards the finals."
Storm starting line-up:
GS Dunn
GA Cookey
WA Greenway
C Trippick
WD Seaton
GD Holland
GK Reid
Hertfordshire Mavericks starting line-up:
GS Shaunagh Craig
GA Alice Ewer
WA Sasha Corbin
C Rose Morgan-Smith
WD Camilla Buchanan
GD Naida Hutchinson
GK Josie Huckle
Surrey Storm head home for their next Fiat Netball Superleague fixture as they host Northern Thunder at Surrey Sports Park on Monday 2nd April 2012. There are just a small handful of tickets remaining for this massive game so grab them quick from the Box Office!
