Day 4 of the Telkom Netball League (TNL) was full of standout performers and thrilling victories. The highly anticipated Gauteng derby was a nail-biting encounter between the Fireballs and the Jaguars.
At halftime, the Fireballs were leading by 4 goals, with a score of 26-24. The match was tightly contested, with the Fireballs maintaining marginal leads quarter by quarter.
The score breakdown by quarter was as follows: Q1: 14- 12, Q2: 26-22, Q3: 40-35, and Q4: 51-47.
The Golden Fireballs edged out the Jaguars with a final score of 51-47 in an electrifying netball match. Despite both teams having the same number of shooting attempts, the Fireballs' superior goal shooting per centage proved to be the decisive factor.
The Jaguars benefited from a height advantage, thanks to players Zane Bordonstein and Ine-Mari Venter, who helped them secure rebounds. However, the Fireballs' strategic approach, which emphasised ball recycling and precise shooting, paid off. They completed 100 circle feeds, reflecting Coach Dr. Elsje Jordaan's game plan.
Nonsikelelo Mazibuko was named Player of the Match, and the Fireballs maintained their unbeaten status in the tournament.
Coach Dr. Jordaan praised her team's energy, discipline, and leadership. In contrast, Jaguars coach Rozanne Matthyse commended her team's resilience and improvement while highlighting areas for growth, particularly their physicality. The match showcased the competitive spirit of both teams.
The Sunbirds narrowly defeated Tshukudu 46-44 in a close match, overcoming numerous errors and injuries. Their resilience was evident as they significantly improved their shooting per centage in the second half, marking Tshukudu's first loss of the Power Week.
Key stats included the Sunbirds recording 10 more turnovers and slightly higher penalties, while both teams had equal rebounds. Notably, neither team scored on the super shot. This win highlighted the Sunbirds' determination, prompting both coaches to review the game for improvement opportunities.
The Southern Stings faced the SPAR Baby Proteas in a match that showcased momentum shifts. The Proteas delivered a strong performance with an impressive 88 per cent shooting per centage, while the Stings managed to secure the win despite a missed super shot. This was the second match for the Stings, who earlier defeated the Baobabs 45-41.
In their final match of the day, the Crinums defeated the Flames 70-42. They started strong, maintaining control throughout the game with a 91 per cent goal shooting per centage and 91 circle feeds compared to the Flames' 62.
The Crinums showcased excellent ball control, scoring 4 points from 2 successful super shots. This win is particularly significant following their previous losses, highlighting their skills under the guidance of Coach Martha Mosoahle-Samm.
"I'm proud of the girls for giving their all today. It’s wonderful to see our young players stepping up and performing well as the team works towards staying in the top four. I'm excited about our talent, like Keke, who thrives under pressure." – Martha Mosoahle-Samm, Crinums Coach.
"It was a tough day at the office. The Crinums' defence was relentless, and we missed key opportunities. We need to play smarter and improve our ball placement. With many players focused on exams, preparation was challenging, but we won't use that as an excuse. We'll revisit our game plan and come back stronger in Durban." – Elsunet Du Plessis, Flames Coach.
You can catch the action live on SuperSport Variety 4 channel 209 or check out the Netball South Africa website for fixtures and updates.
RESULTS:
SA U2145-41Baobabs
Lillies 47-37 Comets
Tornados 49-40 KD Stars
Fireballs 51-47 Jaguars
Tshukudu 44-46 Sunbirds
SA U21 49-52 Stings
Crinums 70-42 Flames
FIXTURES:
07:00 Comets v Diamonds
09:00 Zambezi Eagles v Fireballs
11:00 Sonoblomo v Tornados
13:00 Aloes v Stings
15:00 Sunbirds v KD Queens
17:00 Baobabs v Flames
19:00 Tshukudu v KD Stars