Celtic Dragons 53, Hertfordshire Mavericks 59
Celtic Dragons slipped to a second Vitality Netball Superleague home defeat in three days, going down against Hertfordshire Mavericks.
The home team were on top for long spells and led by two goals at half-time, but faded in the third and could not pull back the deficit.
Goal-Keeper Kelly Morgan was Dragons’ player of the match.
The teams were locked at 14-14 after an intense and fiercely contested first quarter before Dragons stepped up the pressure and went off at half-time leading by two goals.
Goal-attack Kalifa McCollin scored a landmark 300th goal for Dragons with her third of the match.
Mavericks led 25-27 at one stage, but the home team battled back with six goals to edge ahead.
Goal-shooter Eleanor Roberts scored 12 goals in the second quarter, combining well with Goal-attack McCollin and Centre Kyra Jones.
The athleticism and awareness of McCollin was remarkable and at one stage she flung herself backwards off court to ensure Dragons kept possession. Her technique is excellent and her 94-plus shooting percentage underlines her ability.
Quick decisions and lightning speed passes by Jones kept Mavericks under pressure, while there were key interceptions by the Australian centre and Goal-keeper Kelly Morgan.
More than 600 spectators were at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff and there was plenty of noise from cheering Welsh fans.
Mavericks made changes, sending on WA Keshia Grant and GS Vicklyn Joseph.
They came out on top in the third quarter, scoring 16 goals to lead by four going into the final session.
There was another change for Mavericks, who sent out WD Zara Everett.
Dragons made changes, sending on Fern Davies at GD and then Sara Bell at GA with McCollin switching to GS.
They fought to the end, but Mavericks had the edge and completed a Superleague double against the Dragons.
Quarter score (Dragons first): 14-14, 17-15 (31-29), 10-16 (41-45), 12-14 (53-59).
Celtic Dragons: GK Kelly Morgan, GD Lois Rideout, WD Stacey Peeters, C Kyra Jones, WA Bethan Dyke, GA Kalifa McCollin, GS Eleanor Roberts.
Hertfordshire Mavericks: GK Halimat Adio, GD Razia Quashie, WA Ashleigh Neal, C Rose Morgan-Smith, WD Michelle Drayne, GA Sophie Drakeford-Lewis, GS Sophie Hankin.
Vitality Superleague Netball
Celtic Dragons remaining home fixtures – all at Sport Wales National Centre, Cardiff
May
Monday 15 v Surrey Storm (7pm)
Saturday 27 v Wasps (4pm)
June
Saturday 3 v Team Northumbria (2pm)
Tickets for all Dragons home games can be found at www.ticketline.co.uk
Information is available via celticdragonsnetball.com