Saracens Mavericks had an earlier than usual start than usual for a midweek game - although it seemed someone forgot to tell the players as they suffered a first-half mauling against London Pulse.

The Netball Superleague game at the Hertfordshire Sports Village began at 6pm on Monday but by the halfway point, the visiting Pulse had roared into a 38-19 lead.

The home side improved dramatically after the break but they still fell to a 65-43 loss.

It leaves Mavericks seventh in the 10-team league, with three wins from their nine games, with their old rivals sitting pretty in second.

It also left head coach Camilla Buchanan telling the squad that now is the time to roll their sleeves up and get down and dirty in the trenches.

Speaking to Sky Sports, she said: "We've talked to this group about building this season, where we're going to improve but where we are also going to hit roadblocks.

"This is a really important point for us. We knew we'd have to get through some tricky patches and stay together when the challenges are on.

"This is a challenge now because there have been some performances that are not worthy of us.

"We won't stop looking at it. We have belief in what we're building here and I know that sounds pointless when you are not getting the results, but this group has some real talent and we need to unlock it when we are under pressure."

Mavs now get two weeks to lick their wounds and find their focus again, their next match not until a trip to Leeds Rhinos on April 16.

One of their newer signings has called the opening nine games "a learning curve".

Monique Meyer arrived in the off season and despite never playing in the Superleague previously, the South African defender has quickly found her feet.

And with the Mavericks in a bit of a transition period, she expects better as the season progresses.

She said: "The first half of the season was definitely a learning curve but I believe that we still have loads to offer.

"I back my team and we know that if we play the way we can, we can pick up more wins."

The international has already formed strong partnerships with Jodie Gibson and Christina Shaw this season and with the return from injury of the club's superstar goalkeeper, Razia Quashie, Meyer feels that there is real strength in the defensive depth.

She said: "We have grown so much as a unit and there are still hard yards that needs to be done.

"But the connections are really strong now and we really know each other’s strengths.

"We’re excited to have Razia back too, as she is rock-solid at the back.

"We need to focus a lot on what we did in preseason, go back to basics and make our base stronger.

"We're really working on driving ball and creating more turnovers."

And she will know that after the disappointment against Pulse, the next home game on April 22 against Surrey Storm needs to be for the fans.

She said: "It’s such an amazing feeling knowing when the crowd is behind us.

"When you play and you hear the crowd cheering you on, it just motivates you to want to do more and do better."