Netball Super League | Mavericks power past Rhinos to earn first win

Match Details

18th February 2023

Round 2

Hertfordshire Sports Village

Match Results

First Centre Pass

Caroline O’Hanlon Leeds Rhinos View profile

Team Stats

Performance Stats

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Performance Stats

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Camilla Buchanan, coach of Saracens Mavericks.

Saracens Mavericks charged down Leeds Rhinos 62-57 to secure their first win of the season at Hertfordshire Sports Village.

Mavericks’ starting seven worked hard for the full 60 minutes to break down the visitors from Yorkshire and rewarded the home crowd with a victory.

From the whistle it was apparent that Leeds Rhinos were as hungry for a win as the Hertfordshire side after they too suffered defeat on opening day of the Netball Super League in Nottingham last weekend.

With internationally decorated players in every third, and with Vicki Oyesola and Nia Jones returning from injury and illness, the Yorkshire side were not going to give Mavericks three points without a fight.

Mavericks head coach Camilla Buchanan was pleased to see her team putting into practice what they’d been working on since a disappointing result last weekend: “When we stuck to our structures, and looked to break down the defensive line, it worked.

"For the most part they showed some real grit to get through some messy moments.”

That winning feeling 😍#BeAMaverick🖤♥ pic.twitter.com/b6vLHu2L00

— Saracens Mavericks (@SaracensMavs) February 18, 2023

Quarter 1 introduced the home crowd to a game that promised to be fast and physical, with Elle McDonald, Paige Reed and Caroline O’Hanlon matching Mavericks' Lisa Mather, Aliyah Zaranyika and Sasha Corbin for pace and passion in the mid-court.

Mavericks clawed back Rhinos’ 3-point lead and finished the opening quarter with a narrow advantage - 14-12.

There was nothing to separate the sides in the second quarter as forced and unforced errors crept into both teams' play.

With glimpses of Mavericks gaining the upper hand, Liana Leota made a couple of substitutions just before half time but to no immediate avail.

Structure proved crucial yesterday at HSV!#BeAMaverick🖤❤️ pic.twitter.com/nYk5ass6OL

— Saracens Mavericks (@SaracensMavs) February 19, 2023

Rhinos won the second quarter on points - 16-15 - but it was Mavericks who went into the break with the lead, albeit a tight one at 46-42.

Mavericks came out firing in the third quarter, claiming the first three goals before extending their lead to 6 points.

Rhinos pushed all the way in the final quarter but a vocal home crowd roared their team over the finish line.

Match report provided by Saracens Mavericks

You can also watch the highlights from all the games in the NSL 2023 season HERE. Buy tickets to support Saracens Mavericks at their home games here and support Leeds Rhinos at their home ground by buying tickets here.

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Tags:

Saracens Mavericks Leeds Rhinos