NETBALL: Mavericks start as they mean to go on in impressive win

On the first weekend of the re-started Market Harborough Netball League, Lutterworth Robins took Foxton Mavericks by surprise, forcing them to dig deep in a match won by a single goal in the dying seconds.

This time, Mavericks were ready and hit the court with pace and determination.

A fast-paced first quarter saw Mavericks with an early lead 10-3, despite the tireless efforts from Tiggs Harrison, out of position in the defensive circle for Lutterworth.

But sharp shooting Natalie Billington didn’t miss a shot to help push Mavericks into a 24-13 lead.

Undeterred, and with a move for Tiggs to centre, Lutterworth delivered some fantastic balls through court with interceptions in defence for Heather Dargie stemming some of the flow.

The final quarter saw Mavericks step up a gear and drive a fast ball through the mid-court, with exceptional and accurate passing from Charlotte Asprey feeding her attacking duo, to lead to a 53-26 victory.

Knighton maintained their fine form from recent weeks as they secured a 48-26 win over Foxton Flyers.

It was close in the first quarter with Knighton only holding a 10-8 advantage but they opened up a nine-point lead before half-time and that trend continued in the all-important third and ‘championship’ quarter.

An unassailable lead had developed for Knighton as they stretched to 40-28 heading into the final quarter.

Flyers showed good determination with some superb shooting from Evie van Nierop and hard-fought turnovers in defence for Laura Burgess ensuring the final quarter was drawn.

Aircare Lightning caught the talented Forman’s Falcons side napping from the first centre pass, with accurate passing and shooting from their goal attack Emma Hadkiss driving her team to a 12-7 lead heading into quarter time.

Falcons regrouped in the break and came out fighting with the mid-court dominated by Becca Weimann at wing attack ensuring the scoreline was reduced to 21-18 at half-time.

The second half started with an onslaught of shots on the Falcons goal from Grace Brooks who capitalised on every opportunity provided by her team.

Despite the best efforts of the Aircare defence, Falcons had stretched to a 34-29 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Aircare’s attack remained in control heading into the final quarter but the young Falcons team were into their flow and continued to stretch the lead before completing a 45-36 success.

The final match of the afternoon saw Turners Tornadoes taking on Aircare Thunder.

Aircare took an early lead with continued accurate shooting from their new signing Ellie Chapman.

Exceptional interceptions and turnovers orchestrated by Maisie Williamson ensured Aircare led 17-8 at half-time.

Ella Garratt led Turners’ attack in the third quarter, with calm and considered set plays, driving the ball towards her attacking circle. But they seemed unable to penetrate the Aircare defence and headed into the final break trailing 27-14.

Heavy rain then caused the courts to become unsafe and the decision was taken unanimously to abandon the match.

However, the rules state that if a match is played to this point, the score stands and so the final outcome will be recorded at a 27-14 win to Aircare.