The 2008 Netball Superleague Grand Final featured

Galleria Mavericks London Mavericks is an English netball team based at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield. Their senior team plays in the Netball Super League where they were a founding member in 2005–06. They are two time Super League champions i ...

and

Loughborough Lightning Loughborough Lightning may refer to one of three women's sports teams based at Loughborough University: * Loughborough Lightning (netball) * Loughborough Lightning (cricket) * Loughborough Lightning (rugby union) {{disambiguation ...

. Having played in both the

2006 2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification. Events January * January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute. * January 12 – A stampede during t ...

and

2007 2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year. Events January * January 1 **Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...

grand finals, this was Mavericks' third successive grand final appearance. It proved third time lucky for Mavericks who defeated Lightning 43–39. Lightning were leading 21–14 at half time thanks to an outstanding shooting performance from 19-year-old

Joanne Harten Joanne Elizabeth Harten (born 21 March 1989) is a former List of England international netball players, England netball international. She was a member of the England national netball team, England team that won the gold medal at the Netball a ...

. However Mavericks, inspired by

Louisa Brownfield Louisa Brownfield (born 14 April 1984), also known as Louisa Watson, is a former England netball international. She was a member of the England teams that won bronze medals at the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games and at the 2011 World Netball ...

and Karen Atkinson, subsequently began to create more shooting opportunities. Mavericks defence – Amanda Newton, Clare Elsley and Naomi Siddall – also played a vital part in a second half fight back. By the end of the third quarter, Mavericks had reduced Lightning's lead to 28–31. During the final quarter Mavericks drew level at 34–34, before pulling ahead by six goals thanks to clinical finishing from Brownfield and Michelle Hall. Harten scored four goals to help keep Lightning in touch before three goals from Brownfield secured the title for Mavericks.

Route to the Final

Match summary

Teams

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Grand Final 2008 in English netball 2006-07 Loughborough Lightning netball matches Mavericks Netball matches

Netball Superleague The Netball Super League is an elite netball league in the United Kingdom. The league is organised by England Netball but features teams based in Netball in England, England, Netball in Wales, Wales and previously Netball in Scotland, Scotland. ...