Day 4 delivers thrills, spills and nail-biting finishes in the Telkom Netball League

Day 4 of the Telkom Netball League delivered a thrilling mix of upsets, dominating performances, and nail-biting finishes, with the North West Flames and Southern Stings locking horns in a 57-all classic at Sun City.

In a match that captivated the crowd, the North West Flames and Southern Stings delivered a thrilling and closely contested game that ended in a tie at 57-57. The breakdown of scores by quarter was as follows: Q1 (14 - 16 Flames), Q2 (30 - 29 Stings), and Q3 (42 - 43 Stings).

A standout moment came when Sian Moore displayed nerves of steel to sink a crucial equaliser on the buzzer. The Flames' shooting wasn't as sharp as the Stings', but they still managed to secure the draw. Both teams had a high penalty count, which could be an area for improvement. Despite this, the match was an entertaining spectacle, with both teams delivering exceptional performances.

The day's momentum shifted dramatically for the Lillies, who earlier edged out the Comets 37-35 to notch up their second consecutive win, but later suffered a loss to the Tornados, who dominated them 59-23.

In a Division B encounter, KwaZulu Natal’s Kingdom Stars delivered a commanding performance, dominating the Free State Sonoblomo 62-44. This convincing win sets a strong tone for their tournament campaign, showcasing their skill and teamwork.

FIRST WIN FOR JAGUARS

After a challenging start, the Jaguars finally broke through with their first win, defeating the Spar Baby Proteas 55-51. This hard-fought victory will likely boost the team’s morale and confidence, providing momentum as they move forward.

Reflecting on the day’s performance and the first win of the tournament, Jaguars Coach Rozanne Matthyse said: “It's our first win, but it's not our last. I saw for the first time today that there was a team. They worked together, the defence complemented the attack, and that’s what you want.”

It was a tough day in the office for the Spar Baby Proteas who had two matches lined up - one with the Jaguars and one that saw the centre pass at 5pm at the Suncity Super Bowl against the Limpopo Baobabs.

The Baobabs recorded their first win of the tournament (46-59), with Modjadji Ramorwalo showing off her skills and Nokwanda Khumalo impressing with her effortless movement. Ramorwalo's performance as goal defence was also commendable, as she motivated the team and secured crucial intercepts.

Baobabs coach Emily Mathosa emphasised that her team learned valuable lessons from the match, particularly the importance of perseverance. Ramorwalo’s goal defence was also commendable.

“The match was a great team effort, featuring standout performances from key players like Muhluri, Nompha, and Alix. However, it was a collective effort, and we are focused on building momentum and moving forward with a renewed sense of determination and teamwork,” said Mathosa.

In a closely contested Division B match, Tshukudu emerged victorious over the Sunbirds, winning 48-45. Despite some missed opportunities, Tshukudu's determination and resilience secured a three-goal margin, delighting the home crowd with a thrilling performance.

Day 5 promises more thrilling matches, stunning upsets, and exceptional performances.

Matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport Variety 4, channel 209.

Tickets are available on the Netball South Africa (NSA) website at just R100.

FULL DAY 4 RESULTS:

Comets 35-37 Lillies

KD Stars 62-44 Sonoblomo

Jaguars 55-51 SPAR Baby Proteas

Sunbirds 45-48 Tshukudu

Stings 57-57 Flames

KD Queens 44-44 Comets

Aloes 36-56 Crinums

SPAR Baby Proteas 46-59 Baobabs