Lightning qualify for Play-Offs with victory over Mavericks

Mavericks missed the chance to go level on points with fourth-placed Team Bath, who occupy the final play-off position, after they also tasted defeat on Monday evening.

Lightning fought back from a first-quarter deficit to lead at half-time, an advantage they never relinquished as they kept their title defence on track.

In front of a raucous home crowd, Saracens Mavericks came quick out the blocks, racing into a five-point lead as they intercepted passes in the Loughborough Lightning third.

Loughborough Lightning goal-shooter Ella Clark struggled to find her range in the opening exchanges as Saracens Mavericks forced Lightning into errors.

Mavericks goal defence Jodie Gibson was influential across the court nullifying Suzie Liverseidge at goal attack before holding on to the ball with her fingertips and setting up another Mavericks goal to move the game to 11-7.

Clark then missed a shot much to the delight of the Hertfordshire crowd, but Kadeen Corbin could not make Loughborough pay as the Lightning defence of Fran Williams and Alice Harvey worked together to get Loughborough back to four points behind.

Saracens Mavericks ended the first quarter 16-11 ahead as Lightning made two changes, Emma Thacker coming on for Liverseidge, while the experienced head of captain Nat Panagarry replaced Hannah Williams at centre.

Thacker had an immediate impact, scoring from Lpughborough's first centre pass of the quarter as Mavericks realised they were facing a reinvigorated Lightning strikeforce, Kadeen Corbin calling for the crowd to make more noise as she scored her first of the period.

Lightning were the ones to enforce the turnovers in this period, the extra height of Thacker alongside the dynamism of Panagarry made the difference as a long-range Clark goal brought Lightning to within one.

The home crowd responded to give their side an extra edge but Lightning moved ahead for the first time in the game.

Gibson again put in a powerful intercept but Mavericks could not make use of the turnover as Loughborough closed out the half 31-29 ahead.

Mavericks again saw their ball turned over as Lightning scored four unanswered goals after the restart and just as Saracens looked to be finding a way back Kadeen Corbin’s looping ball was intercepted and Lightning moved to 37-31.

Beth Ecuyer-Dale had hardly put a foot wrong as Mavericks centre but her centre pass was intercepted to allow Lightning to open the biggest lead of the night at eight points.

Lightning had been direct with their scoring in the third quarter but began to crack under the Mavericks' pressure, the ball bouncing out from a Clark shot to allow Saracens to cut the lead to six.

Mavericks let further chances slip but kept Lightning in touching distance as the buzzer sounded for the end of the third quarter with Lightning ahead 46-38.

Despite remaining unchanged for the final quarter, the home side came out with all the attacking energy scoring three in a row before the telepathy between the Corbin sisters broke down to see Lightning move to seven ahead.

Lightning hit a double-figure lead for the first time to move 52-42 ahead but were made to work for every point by a dogged Mavericks side.

Saracens’ first change of the game came with seven minutes remaining as Georgia Lees came on for Sasha Corbin at wing attack, setting up a goal with her first involvement.

Goals were traded as the clock ticked down, Lightning holding an eight-point advantage as they made their final change of the evening, Ella Bowen replacing Beth Cobden at wing defence.

The Lightning defence stood firm to win the game 59-51 and confirm their place in the Play-Offs with four games to spare.

You can also watch the highlights from all the games in the VNSL 2022 season HERE. Buy tickets to support Saracens Mavericks at their home games here and support Loughborough Lightning at their home ground by buying tickets here.

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