Mavericks took to the court in Nottingham with purpose — and this time, it was clear from the very first whistle. Having not yet led after the first quarter in any of our previous matches this season, the team made a powerful statement with a commanding opening 15. It was a start that set the tone for what would be a convincing win on the road.
Emily Andrew was clinical under the post, scoring at 100% in the first twenty minutes and proving simply unstoppable. At the other end, Jemma Donoghue wasted no time applying pressure in defence, linking up superbly with Razia Quashie to lock down the circle and disrupt Forest’s attacking rhythm.
The second quarter followed much of the same script — slick ball movement and confident attacking play allowed space to open up, our attackers didn’t need a second invitation to capitalise. Emma Thacker was everywhere, working overtime in both attack and defence, often dropping deep to support the play and connect the lines. As the half-time whistle blew, Mavericks were in a strong and stable position — everything was clicking.
Forest, however, were never going to lie down. The third quarter saw the home side fight back, closing the gap and applying scoreboard pressure through well-timed use of the super shot. As the momentum started to shift, the gap between the two sides narrowed, and Mavericks found themselves under pressure.
But in the final quarter, the experience and composure of the Mavericks shone through. Ellie Rattu and Suzie Liversidge were at the heart of it all, calming things down and steering the team forward. Tactical changes and the injection of fresh legs proved key, with Amelia Hall adding attacking flair and becoming a perfect partner for the ever-reliable Emily Andrew.
Mavericks rediscovered their rhythm in the fourth, sticking to the high-intensity, fast ball movement that had served them so well early on. The result? A composed and clinical finish to secure our fourth win in five games.
A strong weekend. A stronger performance. And a statement made.