London Mavericks 57-69 Loughborough Lightning: Lightning's Clinical Edge Outshines Maverick Fightback

Photo: Loughborough Lightning

Loughborough Lightning head to third in the Netball Super League table after a consistent performance in round six saw them gain a 69-57 victory at the Hertfordshire Sports Village this evening against London Mavericks. 

Lightning overcame a two-goal deficit, with Mavericks edging the opening quarter thanks to accurate shooting from Emma Thacker and Emily Andrews during the supershot time.

However, a dominant second and third quarter saw Lightning pull away, with Berri Neil and Sammy Wallace-Joseph impressing in the circle and Player of the Match Shadine Van Der Merwe making an immediate defensive impact off the bench.

Despite a spirited final-quarter response from the Mavericks, including a flurry of supershots from Hall, Andrews and Lightning impact player Ella Clarke, it wasn't enough to close the gap as Lightning’s composure and consistency sealed the win. The reigning champions took the victory in a crucial table clash in front of a sold-out crowd in Hertfordshire. 

How the Game Unfolded:

The visitors started this evening’s game capitalising on a few unforced errors from Camila Buchanan’s side and produced some successful turnovers to create a strong start; Sammy Wallace-Joseph and Berri Neil both started the contest on 100% shooting despite the defensive pressure from London Mavericks.

The home side changed momentum with England Roses’ goal attack, Emma Thacker, creating a turnover off a Lightning centre pass, which she later capitalised on to get another on the board for the Mavericks.

After a few turnovers for Mavericks, the game continued goal for goal as Thacker assisted Emily Andrews through a long ball over the top of the Lightning defence, showing the growing confidence for the home side’s attack.

The first super shot of the game came to Wallace-Joseph, opening the score line by four. Capitalising on a miss-shoot by Neil, Mavericks’ Thacker netted her first two-pointer, marking her 23rd of the season, to bring the scoreline closer.

After a defensive win for Mavericks, Andrews’ first super shot attempt of the evening successfully brought the home side back in the contest as they were brought level.

Izzi Phillips read the Lightning play perfectly, as she flew through the channel and swung momentum in the closing stages of the quarter, which was rewarded by Thacker, who scored another super shot to bring London Mavericks up by two.

The first quarter ended with London Mavericks ahead by two after Loughborough Lightning started strong, but Mavericks produced a strong, composed comeback.

Q1: London Mavericks 20-18 Loughborough Lightning

The second quarter saw Mavericks draw their lead out by four as their through-court defence kept the reigning champions quiet in attack in the opening minutes.

Despite the Maverick pressure, Lightning utilised the wide space given to Neil, who, alongside Wallace-Joseph, got Lightning ahead for the first time since the first quarter.

Amy Hepworth-Wain entered the game, replacing Izzi Phillips, as Mavericks started to lose momentum due to unforced errors and penalties. The former Surrey Storm captain made a direct impact as she shut down options in the Lightning midcourt between Hannah Joseph and Nat Panagarry. 

Andrews again drew the scoreline level with a successful supershot, which Neil matched at the other end. Wallace-Joseph and Neil both were successful in the suprshot zone in the dying minutes of the second quarter, which increased Lightning’s lead by six. 

The second quarter saw the reigning champions get back into the contest as Mavericks’ unforced errors increased in the fast-paced quarter. 

Q2: London Mavericks 32-38 Loughborough Lightning (12-20)

Neither side made any changes going into the third quarter, however Shadine Van Der Merwe entered the game for Jodie Gibson early on. The South African Protea made a direct impact, as she capitalised from an attacking contact on Andrews.

However, this defensive effort was unable to be paid off by Wallace-Joseph as Razia Quashie made a crucial defensive stop, as she read the movement well and got hands to it cleanly.

The England Rose was able to get the long back pass to Andrews, who repaid her goalkeeper’s efforts by getting another point on the board. Another intercept from Quashie saw the home side turn over another play from lightning as the Mavericks’ defensive pressure increased; this was successfully finished off by Thacker.

The zone defence from the home side saw Thacker get an intercept on the transverse line, giving Andrews another chance to capitalise on the attacking end.

Following a tactical time out, Mavericks made two changes with Amelia Hall and Izzi Phillips entering the game; Lightning made their own attacking change with Ella Clarke replacing Wallace-Joseph. Quashie made a crucial rebound as Andrews brought the home side back to a 5 goal game. 

The third super shot time saw Clarke net her first in a comfortable long-range for her as she shot two in quick succession. Amelia Hall made her first successful shot of the game within the two-point range. The Lightning attack increased their lead with two super shots in a row, 

The third quarter saw Loughborough Lightning ramp up the intensity with their defence creating more opportunities through ball gained as the attacking pressure also grew. London Mavericks saw a low-scoring quarter as their unforced errors and penalties increased. 

Q3: London Mavericks 42-56 Loughborough Lightning (10-18)

During the last quarter, London Mavericks gained an early turnover; however, Beth Cobden and Hannah Joseph combined to quickly bring the ball down to Clarke, who scored the first of the last 15 minutes.

After a confident release under pressure from Hall in the circle, Emma Thacker re-entered the game as Lightning made another change with Bella Baylis entering for Hannah Joseph.

Following a rebound by Quashie, Andrews netted another despite quite untidy play through court by Mavericks. Hall reentered the game after a collision caused a head injury to Thacker, and during the injury time, Mavericks captain Ellie Rattu was brought on to replace Hepworth-Wain, with Gibson coming back on to goal defence for Lightning. 

In the final super shot period, Hall netted the first as Quashie got another rebound following an unsuccessful shot from Neil. Hall and Andrews were both successful from the supershot range as the deficit to Lightning was reduced to 12.

Despite winning the last quarter, London Mavericks faced defeat to the reigning champions as Loughborough Lightning kept their advantage throughout the last three quarters.  

Q4: London Mavericks 57-69 Loughborough Lightning (15-12)

Teams: 

London Mavericks- Emily Andrew (GS), Emma Thacker (GA), Suzie Liverseidge (WA), Ellie Rattu * (C), Izzi Phillips (WD), Jemma Donoghue (GD), Razia Quashie (GK)

Bench- Cerys Finn, Amelia Hall, Amy Hepworth-Wain

Head Coach- Camilla Buchanan

Loughborough Lightning- Sammy Wallace-Joseph (GS), Berri Neil (GA), Hannah Joseph (WA), Nat Panagarry* (C), Beth Cobden (WD), Jodie Gibson (GD), Alice Harvey (GK)

Bench- Bella Baylis, Shadine Van Der Merwe, Ella Clark

Head Coach- Vic Burgess

*- Captains 

Player of the Match- 

Sky Sports named Loughborough Lightning’s Shadine Van Der Merwe as the player of the match due to her defensive contributions.

Next Fixtures-

Both sides are back in action next weekend, with Loughborough Lightning hosting Birmingham Panthers on the 25th and London Mavericks travelling to face Manchester Thunder.