TeamBath defeated defending champions Mavericks 55-41 at the Sports Training Village of the University of Bath Monday night to maintain their unbeaten record this season after eight matches.
TeamBath made a blistering start to this Sky Sports televised encounter. This first quarter proved the match winning one by TeamBath who won the quarter by ten goals. Although Mavericks were able to answer in competitive spirit throughout the 2nd, 3rd and 4th periods of the match, the damage was already done.
Rachel Dunn at GS for TeamBath proved why she is one of the nation’s sharpest-shooters to score six of the home side’s opening eight goals in this high scoring quarter by TeamBath.
The home side’s mid-court also dominated in this initial stage of the game with Sara Bayman (WD) and Jo Binns (C) working well together making some spectacular intercepts.
For Mavericks, the reigning Superleague champions, England international Karen Atkinson (WA) linked well with Louisa Brownfield (GS) and Camilla Buchanan tussled well at C.
TeamBath Coach Jess Garland made no substitutions at quarter-time. By contrast Mavericks Coach Kendra Sklawinski opted to move Atkinson to C and brought on Chioma Ezeogu at WA.
TeamBath continued to in the second and third quarters by winning both periods by just one goal each. For the third quarter TeamBath made wholesale changes re-shuffling the attack end and introducing Sasha Corbin at WA. At half time the score was 32-21 and three quarter time 45-33.
Maverick GK Naida Hutchinson, named player of the match, defended well all game, and especially stood out in the third quarter.
In the final quarter both sides showed moments of brilliance which kept the crowd entertained and glued to the match. Mavericks managed to dominate in the last quarter but TeamBath spoilt their good run to overthrow Mavericks and be ahead by two goals for the final quarter. Final score 55-41 to TeamBath, a strong team outfit showing they are the genuine force of this competition in season 08-09.
Jess Garland, TeamBath coach said after the match, “Another good start and pleased to come through winning all four quarters despite being forced into some unfamiliar changes. Good to finish on a win for the first half of the season.”
Kendra Slawinski, coach of Mavericks said, “It was an error strewn start that put us on the back foot at the end of the first quarter. Playing opposition like this you cannot afford to play to this consistency. In the next three quarters we competed and we look forward to the return match.”
Maverick captain Karen Atkinson said, “A really poor start and despite some ordinary play we competed and kept with them.”
The unbeaten run keeps TeamBath at the top of the league with the maximum sixteen points, two ahead of nearest rivals Loughborough Lightning. Mavericks sit in third on twelve points.
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
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