Day Out With Devon

Thames Mavericks continued their build-up to the EMMNA National League with a dominant performance against fellow league side, Devon Dynamites, on Saturday, coming away with a twenty-goal advantage at the final whistle, taking the win 53-33.

Devon came into the fixture in high spirits, having recently beaten league sides Surrey Hurricanes and South-West Hawks. Still, from the first pass of the game, it was clear that Mavericks were an altogether different prospect. Devon counted both an Irish and French international in their squad plus several female players from the National Premier League so Mavericks knew they had to start positively to make sure they stayed with Devon from the outset.

However, the first quarter saw the Mavericks set out their intent for the match. From the first centre pass, Chay February (centre) and Chloe Reschwamm (wing attack) were on the offensive, passing quickly, finding space and driving down court, beating their opposite players to the circle edge time and time again. This hard work meant that shooters, Jacob Kirby (goal attack) and Morgan Fokkens (goal shooter) were continually supplied with excellent feeds and their work in the circle was faultless. At the end of the first quarter, the Mavericks were leading 22-9.

The second quarter saw more of the same and thanks to the hard work of the Mavericks defence, Devon were unable to capitalise on their attacking opportunities and the lead stretched out further in favour of Mavs. Jessie Cherrill (goalkeeper) and Tom Fox (goal defence) were relentless, challenging hard for every ball and punishing any wayward shots from Devon by winning rebound after rebound. Hannah Trickey (wing defence) then took control to take the ball back into the Mavericks attack. When the half-time whistle blew, Mavericks were leading 35-19.

In the second half of the match, Mavericks rang the changes to make sure that as many of their squad as possible took to court. With Kirby moving to the centre position, Nardus Nel came on at goal attack to partner Fokkens and this partnership made sure that the scoreline kept ticking up in Mavs' favour with the Mavericks holding an eighteen-goal lead at three-quarter time. Sophie Snowden, in her debut match, performed brilliantly on the wing, keeping the ball moving cleanly with some great passing.

In the final quarter, Mavericks made yet more changes. Bea Barefield came on to partner Kirby in the shooting circle and her movement continued to cause the Devon defenders headaches. Olivia Westerberg's ability to find space in centre court ensured that Mavs through-court play was smooth and safe and John Powell and James Hammonds also took to court to see out the game for Mavericks. 

At the final whistle, Thames Mavericks had stretched their lead to a twenty-goal margin with the final score standing at 53-33, a total that reflects the pace and speed of the game.

Speaking after the match, Mavericks player/coach Tamryn Settle said:

"This was a great display of mixed netball from both teams. We were very aware, coming into the fixture, that Dynamites were a strong group who had already taken some wins against more experienced clubs. However, we stuck to our game plan and structures from the first centre pass and that discipline paid dividends. We cut down on our unforced errors and made the most of every turnover we won and that, coupled with accurate shooting and great defence brought us the win. I'm so happy for the whole squad as everyone contributed and delivered on whatever was asked of them."

Thames Mavericks will now head to RAF Cosford on 10th February with both a men's and mixed squad for two men's matches against RAF and West Cheshire Warriors and then a mixed round-robin against a selection of RAF teams and West Cheshire.