Loughborough Lightning Development v Mavericks Youth Team 3rd February 2007

Loughborough Lightning Development Squad played a fantastic game of netball on Saturday evening to beat a strong Mavericks Youth Squad who are boasting a team of England U21, U19 and U17 Players. Mavericks Youth Squad came in to the match having won all their previous matches. The key to the Development Squad victory was the determination and aggressive of all the players on court. Becky Gentle and Kay Sparkes were outstanding in the defensive circle and put the Mavericks Youth shooters under immense pressure.

After a fantastic 1st quarter the crowd knew that it would be a great game. In the Second quarter Mavericks Youth team came out a different team and Lightning Development got off to a poor start in this quarter and ended up with a lot of work to do in the 3rd Quarter. Although some good passes were played by Lightning Development, Mavericks Youth were quicker and more accurate, winning the quarter 4 - 13 (15 - 24 at half time)

Lightning Development had a much better start to the 3rd quarter developing some momentum and keeping pressure on at the Maverick Youth attack. The team were passing well between each other and making the passing between them more secure. Coach Val Kindred moved Rachel Whitmore from C to WA and Katie Flaherty to WA to C, Katie's speed through the court gave the Development squad an extra edge over Mavericks. Rachel Sharrod was found with ease under the post and calmly put the shots away. Lightning won the 3rd Quarter 13 - 7 (28 - 31)

For the last quarter Coach Val Kindred rang the changes and gave Jess Hartland her first game with Lightning Development and Brought Nina Warren on to help feed the circle. Having had an inspiration 3rd quarter the Development girls knew that it was possible for them to win the game. The Development Squad worked as a team and scored 3 goal from the 1st whistle, this brough Lightning Development level with the visitors. It was level pegging through out the last quarter, until about 5 minutes from the end when Lightning Development stepped up the pressure turning over 1 of Mavericks Centre passes which game them another 3 goals which put the 37 - 35 ahead. Lightning Development never lost the 2 goal lead and finished the match 42 - 40.

Team:

Rachel Whitmore - Capt, Rachel Sharrod, Hannah Perrett, Katie Flaherty, Sara Parkinson, Kay Sparkes, Becky Gentle, Nina Warren, Jess Hartland, Fran Corgiolu, Emma Thurston, Nia Campbell-Watson

Quarter Scores (Lightning Dev score first)

1st Quarter - 11 - 11

2nd Quarter - 4 - 13 (15 -24)

3rd Quarter - 13 - 7 (28 - 31)

4th Quarter - 14 - 9 (42 - 40)

Shooting Stats:

Rachel Sharrod - 128 / 35 80%

Hannah Perrett - 11/17 65%

Nina Warren - 3/4 75%

Team Shooting Stats: 73%