Celtic Dragons slip to SuperLeague netball defeat against Hertfordshire Mavericks

Celtic Dragons slip to SuperLeague netball defeat against Hertfordshire Mavericks

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By WalesOnline

The visitors were always in control of the match, winning every quarter, and pushed on just when it mattered to deny the hosts an opportunity to join them in fourth position in the standings.

Celtic Dragons slipped to a 51-44 defeat against Hertfordshire Mavericks at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff on Friday night.

The visitors were always in control of the match, winning every quarter, and pushed on just when it mattered to deny the hosts an opportunity to join them in fourth position in the standings.

Mavericks took a 14-11 lead at the end of the first quarter against a resilient Dragons’ side, who had fought back from 18 goals down to beat the Yorkshire Jets last time out.

Kadeen Corbin and Sophie Hankin were doing an exceptional job at pressing the Dragons high up on the court, stepping and body checking at the right times.

A clever defensive zone set up in the middle of the court was causing problems with the feed to Grenada ace ‘Timmy’ Cato.

There was a momentum swing during the second quarter with the home side inspired by a large home crowd in Cardiff, as they reduced the deficit to just two points.

The unorthodox Hankin was proving illusive though as she picked up some valuable goals.

But the Welsh outfit kept it to 24-22 thanks in large to the hardworking Bethan Dyke, despite Hertfordshire having a 77 per cent shooting accuracy and more turnovers.

Rose Morgan-Smith and Sasha Corbin were working hard around the circle which allowed them to open up a 10-point gap in what proved to be a match-winning third quarter.

The Mavericks made their opportunities count and kept the Dragons at bay in the final quarter to take maximum points.

The Mavericks now head to Manchester Thunder on Monday while the Celtic Dragons go to Loughborough Lightning on Thursday.

 

Wales Online, 2014 [http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/other-sport/celtic-dragons-slip-superleague-netball-6836258] accessed on 17:03:2014

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