Day 2 of the Telkom Netball League witnessed an exhilarating match between the Kingdom Queens from KwaZulu-Natal who brushed aside Sonoblomo from the Free State 44-32. The Queens came out with a strong and fast attack, aiming to take control of the game and dictate the pace from the first whistle.
The first quarter proved to be an end-to-end action-packed affair, with both teams taking turns in attack. In a remarkable comeback, Sonoblomo managed to overcome the early onslaught by Coach Magda Du Plessis’ troops and emerged victorious in the first quarter, with a score of 13-10. The second quarter witnessed a tight contest between the two teams, the Kingdom Queens showcased their resilience and fought their way back to find the lead, which they eventually did with five minutes left to play in the quarter.
The Queens managed to hold on to their lead and finished the quarter with a narrow one-point advantage. As the game progressed into the third quarter, the KwaZulu-Natal defense stepped up their game, preventing the Sonoblomo shooters, Groenewald Elri and PienaarBianca from gaining easy access to the circle. Thulisile Nhleko’s outstanding performance in converting chances and contributions in the shooting area earned her the well-deserved title of Player of the Match.
The improved defensive performance proved to be crucial for the KwaZulu-Natal team as they managed to put ten goals into the net, while Sonoblomo struggled to keep up and only scored six goals in the third quarter. Entering the final quarter, Sonoblomo’s performance started to falter due to their decision-making in the final third of the court. In contrast, the Kingdom Queens capitalized on their opponent’s mistakes and dominated the last quarter. With Thulisile Nhleko, the goal attack and goal shooter Tamika Baker, the Kingdom Queens scored an impressive 13 goals while Sonoblomo could only manage 6.
The Northern Cape Diamonds clashed with second placed Tornados in the second round of Friday’s six game thriller and delivered a spectacle that left the crowd in cheers. The final score stood at 47-37 in favor of the Tornados, but the match was filled with intense moments and exceptional performances from both teams.
The Diamonds’ goal attack, Andiswa Dlamini entered the game as the player of the match from her previous outstanding performance. Similarly, the Tornados’ goalkeeper, Adendorf Lauren, had also earned the player of the match accolade from her previous game. With such talented individuals on the court, the first quarter witnessed a fierce battle, with both sides displaying tenacity and determination. Tornados managed to secure a slight advantage, ending the quarter with a score of 13-8 in their favor.
When the teams returned for the second quarter, the Tornados showed renewed energy and determination with a gallant performance from their center and wing attack, as they displayed remarkable combinations and effectively pushed forward. While the Diamonds initially felt the pressure, they quickly regrouped and managed to match Tornados’ offensive efforts. The scoreboard showed an equal number of goals for both teams, with 14 apiece, leaving the game tightly balanced heading into halftime.
The third quarter saw the Tornados start off strong, displaying their intent to extend their lead. However, the Diamonds were not willing to back down without a fight. With a crucial intercept, the Diamonds were able to score the opening goal of the quarter, narrowing the gap and putting the Tornados under intense pressure. The Diamonds’ determination to overturn the center passes and ignite their attacking prowess was evident. The court became a battlefield as the Diamonds fought hard to close the gap, intensifying the competition and keeping the spectators captivated.
Entering the final quarter, the Tornados switched up the tempo, aiming to assert their dominance and secure a resounding victory. Their defensive unit showcased remarkable skills, denying the Diamonds any opportunity to move from the middle of the court into their attacking half. The Tornados’ wing defender, Coraizin Amber, put on a stellar performance, making crucial interceptions and disrupting the Diamonds’ offensive flow. Her exceptional contribution earned her the well-deserved player of the match award.
The match between the Limpopo Baobabs and the Mpumalanga Sunbirds was an intense and heated battle that saw the Baobabs emerge victorious with a final score of 49-43. TheDivision 2 log leaders started off the match with a burst of energy, utilizing their center passes effectively and swiftly gained an advantage over the Sunbirds, taking an early lead in the first quarter. With three minutes remaining in the first quarter, both teams were level on goals scored, but it was the Sunbirds that applied relentless pressure on the opposition allowing them to walk off in the first quarter with a one point lead.
When the teams returned for the second quarter, the Sunbirds aimed to maintain their lead with the ball frequently finding its way into their attacking circle, but unfortunately for them, their shooters struggled to find the net. The Baobabs’ defensive duo of Mupenda Cornelia and Ramurwalo Modjadji took advantage of these missed shots, relentlessly pounding on the rebound and denying the Sunbirds crucial scoring opportunities. The Limpopo Baobabs mounted an impressive comeback, winning the quarter with an impressive 85% goal percentage.
In the third quarter, the Sunbirds made some strategic changes to their defense, shifting Matjiu Jessica from center to wing attack. This adjustment added a new dynamic to their play, and the quarter became a showcase of defensive brilliance from both teams. The Baobabs and the Sunbirds engaged in a closely contested battle, each team fiercely fighting for every goal.
As the match reached its final quarter, the tension and excitement in the arena reached its peak. The Sunbirds made a remarkable comeback, closing the gap and taking the lead. However, their moment of triumph was short-lived as the Baobabs swiftly fired up their attack and tightened their defense. The Limpopo team fought tooth and nail to regain control of the game and eventually closed the game off with 6 points ahead.
Results:
Kingdom Queens 44-32 Sonoblomo
Tornados 47-37 Diamonds
Baobabs 49-43 Sunbirds
