As we cross the halfway mark of Varsity Netball 2023, this year’s contenders have started to raise their hands.
Tuks continued to show their attacking dominance with a big win over Madibaz while Maties returned to winning ways after a clinical performance against UWC.
The Eagles made it four from four while the upset of the day belonged to the UJ Orange Army who beat former champs Kovsies.
Madibaz 27–67 Tuks
The first quarter saw UP-Tuks making their intentions clear, as they dominated possession and the all-round game to race to a 20-6 lead.
The Madibaz struggled with intensity that UP-Tuks were playing at and the second quarter saw much of the same as UP-Tuks went into the break with a comfortable 38-12 lead.
Tuks continued to pile on the scoreboard pressure in the third quarter, while the Madibaz could only add a further five goals.
Phophi Nematangari was instrumental for UP-Tuks, combining well with her teammates and the championship quarter ended with UP-Tuks holding an unassailable 54-17 lead.
The final quarter saw a much better display from the Madibaz, where they managed to add a further 10 goals to their tally, but it was too little too late as UP-Tuks continued their relentless free-scoring dominance to win their fourth game in a row.
Quarter scores: 6-20 / 12-38 / 17-54 / 27-67
FNB Player of the match - Phophi Nematangari (Tuks)
Madibaz: Kaylin Coetzer, Mothira Mohammad, Andrea van der Merwe, Juanita van Tonder, Sibulele Kentane, Siyamthanda Dingiswayo, Nosipho Dweba, Britney van der Merwe, Kelly du Toit, Mitha Sinxo, Jeannique Rossouw, Bonique Solaan
Tuks: Alice Kennon, Amber Marshall, Caroline Paul, Kamogelo Maseko, Kylie van Wyk, Luca Keun, Marichelle Visagie, Melissa van Zyl, Milla Coetzee, Nompha Raphalalani, Phophi Nematangari, Zionne Grobler
Maties 67 – 37 UWC
The Western Cape derby saw the first quarter being tightly contested in an expected cagey start.
Maties dominated the possession, dictating the intensity of the game early on. The quarter closed with UWC trailing 17-11.
The second quarter saw Maties shift into a different gear, increasing the intensity of the affair as they were bolstered by the control in the middle of the court. This saw them gain a 20-goal advantage over their opponents.
The championship quarter saw UWC lift their game, but the maroon machine continued to pile on the goals, swiftly getting to the 50 goal mark while UWC managed to add nine goals to their tally at the end of the third quarter.
The final quarter saw the defending champions continue to steal the show with Chrisley Marshall stepping up in the game to seal the win and claim the Cape bragging rights.
Quarter scores: 17-11 / 37-17/ 52-26 / 67-37
FNB Player of the match – Chrisley Marshall
Maties: Lisa Ingwersen, Rochelle Maree, Chrisley Marshall, Renezia Andrews, Nerine Koopman, Kerrin de Nobrega, Danielle van Nieuwenhuizen, Entle Futshane, Miriam Ndjadi, Lize Rossouw, Syntiche Kabuya, Zané Bodenstein
UWC: Nashitah Africa, Courtleigh Behr, Roné Carstens, Amber Coraizin, Renisha Daniels, Shevonne Hoffman, Adri Kannemeyer, Leandré Ketch, Shani Pick, Liandré Schoeman, Wiandi Van der Merwe, Kristin van der Ross
NWU 59–26 Wits
NWU went into the game as outright favourites against a Wits side in their debut Varsity Netball season.
NWU got off to a good start, finding themselves in the lead at the end of the first quarter.
Wits were, however, just four goals adrift with the score at 11-7.
The second quarter saw NWU get into their rhythm, as they powered off to increase their lead to go into the break with NWU enjoying a comfortable lead.
The third quarter played out in a similar fashion to the first quarter and was a closely fought affair, but it was in the fourth quarter that NWU flexed their attacking prowess as both power plays added to the action.
Wits struggled to match the energy brought by NWU at the end, with the game concluding with a 59-26 win to the ladies from the North West.
Quarter scores: 11-7 / 28-13 / 39-20 / 59-26
FNB Player of the match – Martiné Jordaan
NWU: Sunel Smit, Caitlin du Plessis, Jade Egwatu, Jomari Lübbe, Michelle Geduld, Tlotlang Mokomela, Keke Molotsi, Favour Umeh, Chelize Swart, Sanmarie Visser, Vivian Venancio, Martiné Jordaan
WITS: Giada Prinsloo, Amy Horn, Sidney Coetzee, Kgotso Precious Montshiwa, Simoné van Reenen, Panashe Chiranga, Alix Horn, Refilwe Tswai, Kirsten Mileman, Nicola Wilson, Thandiwe Mokiti, Lerato Thobeha
UFS – UJ
The first quarter saw an edgy start to proceedings as both teams slowly gathered momentum.
UJ looked good using their tall goal shooter Muhluri Hlatshwayo well to race to a slim 10-9 lead.
The Orange army applied the court press well, forcing mistakes from the UFS-Kovsies team and extended their lead at the break to six goals.
The championship quarter saw the game continue in the same vain, with UFS-Kovsies trimming UJ’s lead by one goal.
With the score at 29-24 in favour of UJ, UFS-Kovsies had it all to do in the final quarter and looked intent on picking up a sensational comeback victory.
The four-times former champions ran UJ close on the scoreboard in the dying minutes of the game, but it was the home side who held on for a stunning victory.
Quarter scores: 9-10 / 16-22 / 24-29 /
FNB Player of the match – Ane Retief
UFS: Ane Retief, Bianca Pienaar, Xandri Fourie, Buhle Kubheka, Charne van Vuuren, Demi-Leigh de Jager, Elri Groenewald, Liame de Lange, Reratilwe Letsoalo, Lethabo Sehlapelo, Sheneca Smith, Ruandi van Dyk
UJ: Cornelia Mupenda, Boitumelo Mahloko, Yanke Broodryk, Mukhatshelwa Tshisikhaw, Adivhaho Tshivhiahuvhi, Zanell Blignaut, Sanelisiwe Ntobela, Londeka Buthelezi, Muhluri Hlatshwayo, Owethu Ngubane, Zene de Waal, Henlize Basson