Saracens Mavericks consolidated their second position in the Netball Superleague with a 65-37 success over London Pulse.
It wasn’t a vintage performance and the squad will know they were in a game when they wake up tomorrow but the Hertfordshire side did what they had to as they first ground out a decent first-half lead before comfortably easing clear in the second period.
Leading the charge was Kadeen Corbin who was on fire in front of the hoop, hitting shot after shot from close range or distance.
By the time Mavs had reached the break they had fashioned a 32-23 advantage.
That was thanks to two late scoring streaks at the end of each quarter but prior to that the scoring had gone also point for point.
And Mavs did not look at their fluent best, with passes missing intended targets and broken play littering their possession.
The credit for that has to go to the visitors from London who began tenaciously, snapping at the Saracens’ heels, and refusing to let them settle.
Changes were made at the end of the first quarter and at half-time as director of netball Kat Ratnapala looked to get a response from her team.
And after Pulse had narrowed the gap slightly at the start of the third quarter, suddenly Mavericks stepped it up a gear.
Passes were being gobbled up and both Lindsay Keable and Razia Quashie started to pick up more and more blocks and turnovers.
It lifted the volume of the passionate Hatfield crowd and with their spiritual home rocking, the Mavs got better and better.
Their defensive pressure held Pulse to just 14 goals in the second-half while at the other end they continued to hit shot after shot.
The biggest cheers of the night was probably reserved until the fourth quarter though as the knowledgeable Hatfield crowd rose to acclaim the introduction of Karyn Bailey and Paige McCalla onto the court.
It shows the strength in depth at the Hertfordshire Sports Village-based club and if the Mavericks can continue to grind out results and performances like this, their long-standing support should have plenty more to cheer as the season reaches its climax.
Q1: Saracens Mavericks 15 London Pulse 10
Q2: Saracens Mavericks 32 London Pulse 23
Q3: Saracens Mavericks 47 London Pulse 31
Q4: Saracens Mavericks 65 London Pulse 37
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here