Gauteng Jaguars bounce back at the hands of winless Flames

The Jaguars redeemed themselves against the North West Flames in pressure style and secured a 47-29 win.

This was the Jaguars’ first victory in the four days of action that have taken place so far at the Ngoako Ramatlhodi Sports Complex in Polokwane.

Both teams had a wobbly start to the match as they slowly eased into the thick of things.

The Flames were in the lead by one goal in the early stages of the match, but three consecutive missed shots handed the Jaguars a four-goal lead in the first quarter.

The Flames’ shooting woes carried into the second quarter when the Jaguars blocked off their goal third through area defense, which forced the Flames’ attackers to work overtime to make sure the ball makes it into the circle.

The defensive pressure still poured into the shooting circle, forcing some missed long-range shots from Goal Shooter Caitlin Du Plessis, who couldn’t be aptly supported by partner Carli Swart due to the Jaguars’ insurmountable defensive work of Jamie Van Wyk (Goal Defense) and Jasmine Ziegelmeier (Goal Keeper).

Sanmarie Visser (GD) and Martine Jordaan (GK) worked relentlessly to turn the ball on defence, and the Flames’ shooters showed up in the third quarter, presenting harmonious pieces of interplay which led to the side scoring the most goals in that quarter. However, the Jaguars were just too commanding and hard to counter, and strived back to winning ways in the competition.

In other Division Two results, the Tornados silenced a vibrant arena after defeating their home team, the Limpopo Lilies, 52-27. The Lilies started off like a house on fire, with their supporters cheering them on, and were only one goal behind after the first fifteen minutes.

The Lilies couldn’t replicate the same run rate, which fueled the Tornados to push even harder in the second quarter. Quick releases into the shooting circle and some superb first-phase defense from the Western Cape team made it difficult for the hosts to close the twenty-goal margin in the third quarter. The crowd continued to chant from the grandstands to inject some confidence into the debutants, but the Tornados had already completed the job of maintaining their winning streak.

The Diamonds made history for themselves and will go home beaming with confidence after winning all three of their games at the start of the league. Coach Nthabiseng Hottie has attributed the success to teamwork, on and off the court. The Northern Cape side outmatched the Eastern Cape Comets and walked away with a 41-38 win this afternoon.

Both teams came out firing from the first whistle and maintained the same intensity until the end of the third quarter, deadlocked on thirty-one goals apiece.

It was all to play for in the last quarter, as both teams wanted to finish off on a high ahead of the month-long hiatus, but the Diamonds knew they had wrapped it up when the Comets’ Goal Attack Asekho Njeza, lost a ball by the edge of the circle and missed out on an opportunity to move within one goal.

There were just twenty seconds on the clock when it was the Comets’ centre pass, and Diamonds Centre Senestie Ponie claimed a majestic intercept, which Hottie’s side was quick to convert and extinguish the match with a slim three-goal cushion.

FULL-RESULTS

Sunbirds 49-34 Queens
Stars 29-48 Crinums
Aloes 42-63 Fireballs
Diamonds 41-38 Comets
Tornados 52-27 Lilies
Jaguars 47-29 Flames

Monday Fixtures: 01/05/2023

8:00|Div.2|Baobabs vs Queens
10:00|Div.2|Lilies vs Sunbirds