The SPAR Proteas maintained their unbeaten record in the SPAR Diamond Challenge on Friday by beating the President\u2019s XII 59-34 at the Rembrandt Hall at the Tuks Sports Centre in Tshwane.<\/p>\n
They came out guns blazing in what was expected to be their toughest match and were 17-7 ahead after the first quarter and 33-12 ahead at halftime.\u00a0\u00a0However, they appeared to run out of steam after the break and the young President\u2019s team came back at them in the third quarter, losing the quarter by just one goal. The senior team started making a few errors and the younger team capitalised.\u00a0\u00a0The SPAR Proteas won the final quarter 13-10.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first half was excellent,\u201d said coach Norma Plummer.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir defensive structures were there as we had planned and they worked at creating extra space to play. But this all changed after halftime \u2013 they slackened off and may have become a bit complacent. I took them outside for a talking to at the break and they were much better in the final quarter,\u201d said Plummer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was very impressed with the President\u2019s XII. There are some excellent players and I was able to assess the depth of players available.\u00a0\u00a0I was particularly impressed with the wing defence, Thulisile Maduna.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be injuries over the next few months, and it is good to see what talent is available to step up to the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n
Captain Bongi Msomi said the first half had gone according to plan, but the President\u2019s XII had come back hard in the third quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the last quarter was better, after coach Norma spoke to us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The SPAR Proteas will play Scotland in the final on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Msomi said the Scottish Thistles played a similar style to the top teams and were quite physical.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe certainly won\u2019t under-estimate them.\u00a0\u00a0The match will give us the opportunity to implement what we\u2019re working on.\u00a0\u00a0We want to finish strong tomorrow,\u201d said Msomi.<\/p>\n
Earlier, the Scottish Thistles drew 41-all with Zimbabwe in a hard-fought match, but squeaked into the final on goal average.<\/p>\n
Coach Tamsin Greenway said her players had learnt a lot about themselves in a very tough game.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt least we didn\u2019t lose,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe came here for a variety of reasons and I think we have achieved most of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to learn how to win and how to attack.\u00a0\u00a0If you are going to win, you have to be fearless,\u201d said Greenway.<\/p>\n
Zimbabwe play the President\u2019s XII at 2pm on Saturday and the final will be played at 4pm.<\/p>\n
All the matches in the SPAR Diamond Challenge will be televised live on Supersport.<\/p>\n
Tickets for the games will be available at the venue \u2013 R20 for adults and R10 for school going children.<\/p>\n
Photo: Marcel Sigg<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"