Tuks pushed by spirited Wits; solid wins for Kovsies, UJ and Maties

UP Tuks were made to sweat by underdogs Wits in the last match of the first bumper weekend of the 2024 Varsity Netball tournament at the Wits Sports Hall in Johannesburg.

The defending champions in the end walked away with a hard-fought victory. There were also victories for Maties over TUT, UFS Kovsies edging past NWU in a thrilling battle between the netball powerhouses and UJ go two for two after easily dispatching Madibaz.

UP TUKS 64 – 49 WITS

Wits put up an impressive performance against defending champions UP-Tuks despite going down in a highly entertaining game.

The game began in a manner that would’ve surprised many in attendance. The champions were expected to make light work of a Wits team, with not much experience in comparison to them. Things were however very different, with Wits going toe-to-toe with their more fancied opponents, seeing the first quarter ending with the score deadlocked at 14 goals apiece.

The second quarter began with Wits fighting hard to keep competing with Tuks but the Stripe Generation kept calm, going through their processes before regaining the lead. The whistle for the break eventually sounded, with the ladies from Tshwane in command with a 33-25 lead.

Wits had the crowd behind them, cheering them on but that did not seem to disrupt the crusade of the defending champions. Tuks were phenomenal in the third quarter, edging away at the Witsies, eventually sailing to a 54-32 lead, their biggest in the game.

The final quarter saw the Wits Power Play make a huge impact to trim the score considerably. Witsies capitalised on the double points, eventually falling just 15 goals short of Tuks, for a final score of 64-49. Although the win went to the defending champions, Wits were incredible to put in a valiant effort against one of the tournament’s favourites.

Quarter Scores: 14-14 | 33-25 | 54-32 | 64-49

FNB Player of the match: Phophi Nematangari

UP Tuks: Alice Kennon, Anja van den Heever, Caroline Paul, Jamie Williamson, Kamogelo Maseko, Kylie van Wyk, Luca Keun, Marichelle Visagie, Melissa van Zyl, Nonkcubeko Mjaliswa, Phophi Nematangari, Tinita van Dyk.

Wits: Alix Horn, Amy Horn, Ether Botha, Giada Prinsloo, Kagisho Itholeng, Liani Gilmour, Oratile Mokone, Panashe Chiranga, Philasandre Ntuli, Shani Mokken, Thandiwe Mokiti, Zanele Soviya.

UFS KOVSIES 62 – 54 NWU

It was a mouth-watering encounter between UFS Kovsies and the NWU Eagles that saw the four-time Varsity Netball champions from the Free State claim an eight-point victory. 

The game was played in a manner that was expected, with the first quarter seeing a cagey affair as the teams went toe-to-toe. There was very little to tell between the two sides with a 10-9 score at the end of the first 15 minutes of play.

The second quarter saw the match remain in the balance, with the ladies from the Free State maintaining their narrow lead, while the determined Eagles kept on their tail. Kovsies would be the ones to go into the break narrowly leading 28-25, but the NWU Eagles certainly felt they were in with a shot, with a power play still available to them. 

In the third quarter, Kovsies excelled in their handling and transition play. Off the ball, they were alert and quick in disrupting NWU from getting into their rhythm, shifting into their transition with Karla Victor being a pivot. It was Kovsies who built up a 46-40 lead at the end of the quarter.

The Eagles had it all to do in the final quarter and put in a massive effort that almost saw them claiming a bonus point. The match was made interesting when NWU took their power play in the dying minutes of the game and came within 5 goals of Kovsies. In the end however, the ladies from the Free State were able to see out a 62-54 win, despite the late fightback from NWU. 

Quarter Scores: 10-9 | 28-25 | 46-40 | 62-54

FNB Player of the match: Karla Victor (UFS Kovsies)

UFS Kovsies: Liamé De Lange, Demi-Leigh de Jager, Megan Erasmus, Xandri Fourie, Elri Groenewald, Reratilwe Ke-Morena Letsoalo, Thandolwethu Mokoena, Refiloe Nketsa, Rolene Streutker, Charné van Vuuren, Karla Victor, Lethabo Sehlapelo.

NWU: Jade Egwatu, Nadine Hefer, Martiné Jordaan, Jomari Lübbe, Kegaugetswe Mashilo, Johanné Meyer, Tlotlang Mokomela, Risima Ngobeni, Nicola Oosthuizen, Sunel Smit, Izaan Snyman, Sanmarie Visser.

UJ 72 – 35 MADIBAZ

A strong showing from UJ in the first half of the match saw them secure a comfortable win over Madibaz.

The Orange Army got a good start in the game, where they employed their strategies well to get the ball moving quickly. Muhluri Hlatshwayo was once again the go-to person upfront for UJ, with the ball being lobbed to her for a flurry of goals. UJ stormed into an 18-5 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was where UJ inflicted the most damage to the scoreboard, posting 25 goals to the 8 of Madibaz. The Orange army were simply superior when it came to circle feeds, with Madibaz struggling to make any real impact. At the break, UJ had managed to build a 30-goal lead, with the score at 43-13.

Madibaz played some of their best netball in the third quarter, capitalising on a well-executed power play. The ladies from Gqeberha did manage to trim the deficit, even outscoring UJ 14-11 in the quarter. The Orange Army did, however, look comfortable with the lead they had built up, to see out the 15 minute play with the scoreboard on 54-27.

The fourth quarter once again became more about finishing strong and sealing another great effort for UJ. Captain Cornelia Mupenda was one of the top players on the court, putting in an exceptional shift and completing an incredible performance, picking up 10 out UJ’s 13 intercepts. UJ in the end rounded off their weekend with a 72-35 win over Madibaz, who are still searching for their first victory. 

Quarter Scores: 18-5 | 43-13 | 54-27 | 72-35

FNB Player of the match: Cornelia Mupenda (UJ)

UJ: Alexandra Meimaris, Aphiwe Thusini, Boitumelo Mahloko, Cornelia Mupenda, Gugulethu Mdladla, Henlize Basson, Jade Niemand, Luyanda Msomi, Muhluri Hlatshwayo, Sanelisiwe Ntobela, Tarle Mathe, Yanke Broodryk.

Madibaz: Angel Mlambo, Anke Britz, Balungile Mgoqi, Edon Snyman, Erin Hartland, Hanniska van Vuuren, Inganathi Sapepa, Kaylin Coetzer, Kelly du Toit, Mothira Mohammad, Siyamthanda Dingiswayo, Tashlyn van Schoor.

MATIES 77 – 13 TUT

Maties got back to winning ways after they beat a TUT team that are still trying to find their feet in Varsity Netball.

Maties were swiftly out of the blocks, as they imposed themselves on the game from early on, using their height and athletic advantage. TUT struggled to slow down a determined Maroon Machine that enjoyed a 19-4 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw a calmer approach to the match from TUT, who looked in better shape, intercepting passes in key areas of the court. Although the team from Stellenbosch still dominated the affair, the effort put in by TUT was an improvement to see the score 34-9 at the halftime interval. 

The third quarter was filled with excitement as both teams called for their power plays. TUT were the first in an attempt to put more points on the board. This worked out well as it was TUT’s highest-scoring quarter, with Maties also powering on with 21 goals.

The final quarter then saw Maties putting in a routine performance to finish matters off on a high, with TUT tiring with every minute that ticked away. Maties in the end were able to accumulate a staggering 77 points. Chrisley Marshall was named the player of the match after an inspiring display that saw her score 32 goals from 37 attempts. 

Quarter Scores: 19-4 | 34-9 | 55-18 | 77-13 (10 goals deducted from TUT for failing to include a minimum of two players from designated transformation group)

FNB Player of the match: Chrisley Marshall (Maties)

Maties: Adriana Carstens, Bianca Odendaal, Chrisley Marshall, Danielle van Nieuwenhuizen, Lisa Ingewersen, Lize Rossouw, Michelle van der Merwe, Miriam Ndjadi, Renezia Andrews, Shanidine Bezuidenhout, Syntiche Kabuya, Thabisa Yekani.

TUT: Anele Kwaphuna, Bianca Nkalanga, Desiree Mohlala, Fulufhelo Remember Nen, Gomolemo Mashiane, Katleho Motaung, Keamogetswe Ngobeni, Katleho Motaung, Modjadji Mokgehle, Naledi Makoa, Philile Bokwe, Thembalethu Buthelezi.