The highly-awaited Gauteng derby between the Golden Fireballs and the Jaguars lived up to its expectations as both teams delivered sublime netball in Durban on Friday afternoon.
The Fireballs embraced the underdog tag ahead of this Telkom Netball League match and certainly brought their A game to cause the biggest upset so far in the competition by defeating the Jaguars 43-29.
Statistically, the scoreline reflected the closely contested match at half time when both teams drew 20-all.
Fireballs coach Rozanne Matthyse relied on the bulk of her starting line-up to complete the job having only made just two changes throughout the game but the team fell short in disrupting the Fireballs’ attack that was led by Bongiwe Msomi.
A few lucrative turnovers yielded dividends for Dr Elsje Jordaan’s side as they recorded their second win against the defending champions.
The Southern Stings also walked away with maximum points after beating the Flames 58-44.
This was a huge confidence booster following Thursday’s last-minute two-goal defeat against the Crinums.
In division two, the Mpumalanga Sunbirds displayed class against the Kingdom Queens and beat them 43-29 despite a slow start to the game which saw them trail behind at half-time.
The Sunbirds and the Aloes are the only teams in the division who are yet to taste defeat.
RESULTS
Comets 49-50 Diamonds
Crinums 46-42 Stars
Aloes 57-39 Baobabs
Jaguars 43-29 Fireballs
Sunbirds 43-29 Queens
Stings 58 – 44 Flames
SATURDAY'S FIXTURES
10am - Comets v Aloes
12pm Tornados v Sunbirds
2pm - Queens v Diamonds
4pm - Stars v Stings
6pm - Fireballs v Crinums