HERTS Mavericks secured a place in phase two of the Netball Superleague season, despite Good Friday’s 54-34 home loss to Team Bath at the Herts Sports Village, Hatfield.

Four teams from the original eight in the league progress to the next stage with Mavericks finishing fourth to scrape through.

Against Bath they again played in front of a sold-out crowd.

Mavericks started the game with Alice Ewer and Sophie Hankin in the circle, however unforced errors and missed shots meant Bath went 11-7 up at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, no substitutes were made but missed opportunities and unconverted turnovers meant Bath were able to extend their lead.

With five minutes to go of the quarter, Naida Hutchinson called a time out after a knock to her knee and coach Karen Atkinson moved her to GK, Rose Morgan-Smith to WD, Sasha Corbin to C and Michaela McFarlane came off the bench to WA.

The shift in players had an immediate impact, however it was not enough to close the gap with Bath extending their lead 31-16.

Steffi Burt (GS) and Mikki Austin (C) entered the court in the third quarter, with Ewer moving to GA and Corbin back to WA.

Atkinson’s changes in attack brought some difficulties to the Bath defence, despite there still being missed shots and unforced errors.

Mavericks drew the quarter 10-10.

Going into the final quarter with a 15-goal deficit, Mavericks knew it was still all to play for, however Bath won the quarter 13-8 to take the match 54-34.

Mavericks’ first match of the second phase is on Saturday, April 13, as they entertain Celtic Dragons.