Celtic Dragons Hungry For Home Success Against Mavericks

Kiwi import player Stacey Peeters says Celtic Dragons are hungry for success in their Vitality Netball Superleague clash with Hertfordshire Mavericks (4pm).

Dragons play a second home fixture in three days, having been edged out 53-55 by Manchester Thunder on Saturday.

“That was such a tough match, our girls have stepped it up another level which is so pleasing,” said Peeters.

“It’s frustrating to lose by two. Silly errors letting us down, but we can take the positives into Monday’s game and really push on.

“If we treasure possession and capitalise on any intercepts or turnovers we can score off them.”

Dragons produced a team performance against Thunder which was excellent at times, but they were punished for mistakes and paid the penalty.

That has fired coach Trish Wilcox and her players up for a huge effort against Mavericks.

Dragons are playing at the top level of netball in Britain and are aiming to earn their second victory.

Thunder stole the win from Dragons in the final seconds of a close match at the Sport Wales National Centre.

Dragons were ahead throughout the first half after taking an early lead. They were full of confidence as they worked the ball smoothly down the court to secure goal after goal, leading 17-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Thunder steadily closed the gap, but Dragons’ defence was tight with great pressure in the shooting circle by duo Kelly Morgan and Lois Rideout. Blocked shots, calculated interceptions and converting those successes meant Thunder were still behind at half-time 30-28.

Thunder came out firing after the half time break and capitalised on turnover ball, outscoring the hosts and leading by four at the end of the third 43-47.

The visitors looked to maintain their lead in the final 15 minutes, but the introduction of goal-shooter Lydia Hitchings helped Dragons claw their way back to 51-51.

They could not hold on and Thunder capitalised on home errors.

A dramatic final 30 seconds of the game saw Thunder score two goals and clinch the win.

The final score was 53-55 to Manchester, while Dragons centre Kyra Jones was named player of the match.

Join the Green Army fans for the bank holiday show down, with tickets £5 per person and £30 for groups of ten. Head to www.ticketline.co.uk

Vitality Superleague Netball 

Celtic Dragons remaining home fixtures – all at Sport Wales National Centre, Cardiff

May

Monday 1 v Hertfordshire Mavericks (4pm)

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 celticdragonsnetball.com

Vitality Netball Superleague fixtures on Monday, May 1: 

Monday, May 1: Surrey Storm v Team Bath (3pm), Celtic Dragons v Hertfordshire Mavericks (4pm), Wasps v Severn Stars (6pm), Manchester Thunder v Team Northumbria (7.30pm), Sirens v Loughborough Lightning (7.45pm).