Tuesday 3 March 2015 09:04, UK
Yorkshire Jets drew level on points with Hertfordshire Mavericks in the Netball Superleague after a 56-42 win on Monday night.
With 12 points, Jets and Mavericks trail only Manchester Thunder and Surrey Storm with six matches played.
Timmy Cato was the difference between the sides at the University of Huddersfield Arena – although Jets ended the game with a surprisingly low 81 percent shooting percentage.
The goal shooter from Grenada was on peerless form throughout the evening, providing the focal point for Jets’ regularly swift turnover moves. Her strength in the danger zone and reach to retrieve balls punished every unforced error from the Mavericks.
Wing defence Sally Butters, the Australian in her debut Jets season, was also a standout performer and received Player of the Match for her industrious and athletic display.
The opening quarter was a closely fought affair until the closing seconds and it was Cato who predictably had the final say, putting Jets 14-13 ahead with the final throw before the break.
The Grenadian’s clinical shooting helped the hosts pull clear in the second quarter and they would never look back – by this point she had 25 goals from 26 shots. Megan Clarke had replaced captain Lauren Potter yet the home side only improved.
Cushion
To address their unforced errors Mavericks withdrew Kadeen Corbin, among others, and sent on Lindsay Keable but they couldn’t stem the tide as the gap widened.
Improving that record to 31 out of 33 gave the Jets a 10-goal cushion at times in the third period as they were able to keep Mavericks at an arm’s length.
Cato was briefly frustrated in the final quarter, complaining of too much physicality under the net, but dusted herself down to return to the scoresheet as Jets eased to victory.
Jets coach Anna Carter said: "We’ve been working really hard on strategies, in particular team defence, but we still feel we let the opposition have too many attempts. I was really pleased with the team defence tonight.
"I felt Lauren Potter started the game really slowly, Megan Clarke has been coming on well for us and it paid dividends – she did a great job. I’m very proud of her.
"We’re lucky that we’ve got some really talented youngsters."
