The Limpopo Baobabs claimed the Telkom Netball League Division 2 title with an emphatic 65-40 win over the Western Cape Tornados on Friday.
The Baobabs were exceptional in the round-robin stages, winning 13 out of the14 games they played and securing a semifinal spot against the Diamonds.
It wasn’t an easy semifinal against the Northern Cape team, who showed progress in every match but were ultimately outclassed by the Baobabs to book their finals date with the Tornados.
The Tornados had a dominant start to the league, emerging unbeaten during the Power Week in April. The Western Cape team finished third last year and their upward trajectory earned them a silver medal this year.
The first half of the final was dominated by the Baobabs and both teams maintained the same level of intensity by scoring the exact number of goals in the first and second quarter.
Baobabs Goal Shooter Muhluri Hlatshwayo, who has been the team’s engine, caused trouble for the Tornados’ defensive duo of Lauren Adendorf and Olukemi Akuma Agbai, forcing the defenders to resort to a double block.
On attack, Centre Jessica Matjiu controlled play up front for the Baobabs, launching 12 feeds inside the shooting circle, providing nine goal assists and grabbing two intercepts to give the Limpopo side a huge 30-18 goal margin at halftime.
In front of their supporters who had travelled all the way from Limpopo, the Baobabs continued to trot along comfortably in the third quarter, putting every Tornados’ effort to doubt.
Tornados Shooters Liandre Schoeman and Andiswa Mbilase played their roles effectively, giving the side hope to stage a comeback with their accurate shooting.
The last quarter was a different ball game for the Baobabs, as they already had clear sight of the finish line.
Eighteen fourth-quarter goals were enough to steer the Baobabs to Division Two title glory with a dominant 65-40 win.
?? MONATE WINNERS #TNLBaobabsTornados
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) June 30, 2023
?? The Baobabs make history playing in their first ?????? FINAL and winning ??
?? Captain Nthabiseng Mothutsi recaps the WIN ??
?? Tornados ??
?? Sunbirds ??#TelkomNL | #TNLisBack | @TelkomZA pic.twitter.com/TqgISDpBpR
SUNBIRDS CLAIM BRONZE
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In the bronze medal final, the Mpumalanga Sunbirds rose to victory, and scooped a bronze medal following a hard-earned 44-39 win against a tenacious Diamonds team.
Both teams had a point to prove and were looking for a strong finish, having lost in the semifinals.
The hunger certainly showed in the opening quarter, when the Sunbirds were leading by just one goal.
The Sunbirds looked stronger defensively and were quick to take advantage of the Diamonds’ mistakes to take a six-goal lead at halftime.
Both teams lacked discipline on attack, giving away too many balls, but the Diamonds had a better conversion rate, and levelled matters in the third quarter.
The Sunbirds looked more dangerous in the final quarter, with the crowd’s backing and took charge defensively but the Diamonds remained patient, sinking goals at any given chance.
Tumelo Nkoe led defensively at the back, neutralising the Diamonds with two intercepts, three deflections, and one defensive rebound, contributing to her team’s five-goal win and claimed her last Player of the Match award to seal a perfect send-off.
?????????????? FINAL STANDINGS Division 2??
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) June 30, 2023
?? Baobabs
?? Tornados
?? Sunbirds
4?? Diamonds
5?? Kingdom Queens
6?? Comets
7?? Sonoblomo
8?? Lilies#TelkomNL | #TNLisBack | @TelkomZA pic.twitter.com/DmXdcnV44r
?????????????? BEST PLAYERS Division 2?
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) June 30, 2023
??????
Player of the Tournament: Muhluri Hlatshwayo (Baobabs)
Best Shooter: Marichelle Visagie (Baobabs)
Best Mid-Court: Amber Coraizin (Tornados)
Best Defender: Cornelia Mupenda (Baobabs)#TelkomNL | #TNLisBack | @TelkomZA pic.twitter.com/jNvOlGrv2X
RESULTS
Div.2| PLAY OFF POSITION 5/6| Queens 38-33 Comets
Div.2| BRONZE FINAL| Diamonds 39-44 Sunbirds
Div.2| FINAL| Baobabs 65-40 Tornados
SATURDAY FIXTURES
4pm PROMOTION/RELEGATION MATCH| Baobabs v Stars
6pm | Div.1 FINAL |Crinums v Jaguars