The Free State Crinums scored in the last second of the 2024 Telkom Netball League (TNL) final to defeat defending champions Gauteng Jaguars 47-46 in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
The nail-biting victory saw the Crinums win their fourth title of the competition after winning back-to-back titles from 2014 to 2016 under coach Burta de Kock.
😱 𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗔 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗘𝗡𝗗 😱
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 19, 2024
The Crinums score in the LAST SECOND of the match to claim the 2024 #TelkomNL title 🏆
A final we'll never forget 👏 pic.twitter.com/9R4NE6i4Lp
In a repeat of the first-ever final of the tournament in 2014, both sides exhibited elite netball which thrilled the fans in the loud Ellis Park Arena.
The match was neck and neck from the first quarter but the Crinums narrowly pulled ahead at halftime (24-20).
The crowd, which was behind the Tshwane side, roared on their side and saw the gap close in the third quarter to reduce the deficit to one goal at 34-33.
The Bloemfontein-based team eventually clinched the match in the last second of the match.
This is the Crinums' first title under coach Mosoahle-Samm after she led the side to the final last season.
A special moment for Karla Pretorius and the Free State Crinums as they are crowned #TelkomNL champions 🏆🥳 pic.twitter.com/bcfeozawXI
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 19, 2024
Coach Mosoahle-Samm said winning the competition is a career highlight.
“I am over the moon. This was intense. We knew it was going to come to this and the girls knew how hard it was going to be. We wanted it badly and this is phenomenal. The Jaguars came out very hard. We knew they had been winning this for years, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy but the girls knew it was now or never. I am so proud of them. This means the world to me. I was sitting and thinking we were in the final last year and lost it when we thought we had it but the moment came. It means everything to me, this is the highlight of my netball career,” said Mosoahle-Samm.
Jaguars coach Rozanne Matthyse revealed that even though she is disappointed they were not able to successfully defend their title, she is proud that her side made it to yet another final.
“I think it was a good display of netball from both teams. We made crucial mistakes at crucial times. But it is also inexperienced players that made those mistakes. It will get better, it was their first final. Yes, a disappointment to lose with one goal because you think about what you could have done differently. We are blessed to be in another final,” explained Matthyse.
On Tuesday, the Golden Fireballs beat the Southern Stings 53-41 in the bronze-medal match.
Meanwhile, the KwaZulu-Natal Kingdom Stars beat the Eastern Cape Comets 37-35 to win Division 2.
BOABABS BACK IN THE TOP TIER
In the resulting promotion-relegation match on Wednesday, the Limpopo Baobabs defeated the Kingdom Stars 65-40 to compete in the top tier again
Stars coach Precious Mthembu said having played the Division Two final on Tuesday night had an impact on how the team performed.
“We went on court knowing that the Baobabs had a two-day rest, that recovery is very important in the legs and the mental state as well. Baobabs had an opportunity to play in a tougher division which gave them the strength to play against a team that had been in the lower division. I think a bit of fatigue got to the girls, but I'm happy with the Division 2 title win,” Mthembu said.
The Baobabs were the side that sent the Stars to the lower tier last season. The win over the coastal team was their first one this season.
Coach Emily Mathosa says although she would have liked to see different results in the season, she is happy that they will compete in the tougher stream again next season.
“I am glad they were able to come out and show that we deserve to stay in the A section because we have worked so hard to be there. We are the first in the province to be there, the players did well. Next season you are most likely to see a different Baobabs that understands what’s needed to be in the A section. The intensity is very high and they need to work hard because they play against elite players. I believe we will give the teams a good fight next year,” said Mathosa.
Last season’s silver medallists, the Western Cape Tornados took the bronze medal after defeating the Mpumalanga Sunbirds 44-39 in the third/ fourth-place playoff match.
DIVISION ONE INIDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Best Shooter- Alice Kennon (Gauteng Jaguars)
Best Centre- Refiloe Nketsa (Free State Crinums)
Best Defender- Jamie van Wyk (Gauteng Jaguars)
Player of the Tournament- Karla Pretorius (Free State Crinums)
DIVISION TWO INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Best Shooter - Aphiwe Thusini (KwaZulu Natal Kingdom Stars)
Best Centre - Arne Rust (Eastern Cape Comets)
Best Defender - Amarachi Agbai (Western Cape Tornados)
Player of the Tournament - Nozipho Ntshangase (KwaZulu Natal Kingdom Stars)