Netball: Superleague Grand Final 2015 - Hertfordshire Mavericks blown away by Surrey Storm
Surrey Storm 56 Hertfordshire Mavericks 39
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Your support makes all the difference.Surrey Storm swept to the Superleague title in style at the Copper Box, blowing away the challenge of Hertfordshire Mavericks 56-39 in front of a crowd of more than 6,000 fans at the London 2012 venue.
Tamsin Greenway's team had started out as favourites after their two victories of Mavericks earlier this season, but the former's shock semi-final victory over the previously unbeaten Manchester Thunder, the reigning Superleague champions, last weekend looked to have thrown the form book out of the window ahead of the final.
However, normal service was resumed in the final with Greenway, playing at wing attack, combining well with England captain Pamela Cookey at goal attack and Rachel Dunn at goal shooter, the latter pair finding the net at will.
By half-time Storm had built up a six point lead and it was one they never looked like relinquishing, their defence closing down the Mavericks' goal circle as they increased their advantage on the way to a first Superleague title.
“Of course you get crowds like that internationally, but for most players this is the big stage,” said victorious Storm player/coach Tamsin Greenway.
“At home we sell out every week and the crowd there is incredible, but there is something very special about stepping out in an arena like this. Throw 6,000 fans into the mix and you've go an electric environment to entertain. It's something you always remember.”
Mavericks goal attack Louisa Watson concurred: “It's such an experience playing in front of a crowd of that size,” she said. It would be great to have more matches played held in the larger venues we have around the country.”
Earlier in the day Manchester Thunder gained some little consolation for their semi-final defeat at the hands of Mavericks with a 55-49 defeat of Yorkshire Jets in the third place play-off.
Mavericks coach Tracey Neville has done much to bring the sport to a new audience this season, her elevation to England coach getting netball back page headlines for the first time in living memory. She enlisted brothers Phil and Gary, fellow Manchester United stalwart Paul Scholes and Coronation Street stars to appear in a 'Is This The Way To Amarillo?' ahead of the Superleague semi-final, and even Wayne Rooney was Tweeting words of encouragement ahead of the match.
With the Superleague season now over the focus switches to the international stage with Neville taking over the England reigns for the visit of Trinidad & Tobago in a three-match international series next month, part of the preparations for the World Cup in Australia in August.
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