Comprehensive victories for Tuks and UJ, close encounters for NWU and Madibaz

UP-Tuks swept past defending champions Maties to go top of the log after day three of the second bumper weekend of the 2023 Varsity Netball championship at the UJ Imbizo Hall Soweto Campus. In the other matches, UJ won the Johannesburg derby against Wits while NWU beat UFS-Kovsies and Madibaz got one over UWC.

UP-TUKS 60-38 MATIES

UP-Tuks continued their good run of form with a comprehensive 60-38 victory over Maties.

It was a battle of the Titans pitting one of the favourites of this year’s competition against the defending champions. The contest certainly did not disappoint.

The game saw Tuks surprising Maties in the first quarter, dominating most of the aspects of play, which resulted in a 17-8 lead at the close of the first quarter of play. The second quarter saw Maties looking to find their way back into it, but the brilliance of Alice Kennon made it a difficult task. Kennon was able to record 21 goals in the first half of play, putting her team 30-18 up at the break.

The championship quarter saw the Maroon Machine being outscored once again by Tuks, who looked relentless on attack. The Pretoria-based team also showed great urgency to try and intercept the Maties’ passes. The quarter ended with Tuks just shy of half a century, with the score at 49-29. The final quarter was just about maintaining the lead for Tuks, while Maties were chasing. In the end, Tuks were able to register the 60-goal margin, going on to upset the defending champions 60-38.

Quarter scores: 17-8 / 30-18 / 49-29 / 60-38

Player of the match: Phophi Nematangari (UP-Tuks)

UP-Tuks: Alice Kennon, Amber Marshall, Caroline Paul, Kamogelo Maseko, Kylie van Wyk, Luca Keun, Marichelle Visagie, Melissa van Zyl, Milla Coetzee, Nompha Raphalalani, Phophi Nematangari, Zionne Grobler.

Maties: Lisa Ingwersen, Rochelle Maree, Chrisley Marshall, Renezia Andrews, Nerine Koopman, Kerrin de Nobrega, Danielle van Nieuwenhuizen, Entle Futshane, Miriam Ndjadi, Lize Rossouw, Syntiche Kabuya, Zané Bodenstein.

UJ 61-34 WITS

UJ oozed class as they managed to clinch the Johannesburg derby bragging rights, as they picked up a big 61-34 victory against Wits.

The game began with UJ dominating proceedings from the onset, with goal shooter Muhluri Hlatshwayo enjoying a good few touches in the shooting circle. Wits looked in a great deal of panic, not managing to get possession of the ball, as the UJ team stormed off to a massive

25-5 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw the Orange Army managing to add a further 13 goals to their score, bringing the halftime break to 31-15.

The championship quarter saw the likes of Hlatshwayo continue to be a menace to the Wits defence, with the Witsies failing to pick up on the rebounds, which they were punished for. The third quarter concluded with UJ well in front, with a 52-25 scoreline, practically wrapping up the game early. There was calm on the Wits bench at the start of the fourth quarter, as coach Elsje Jordaan could see what she was up against. UJ in the end painted the city orange, with a 61-34 victory.

Quarter scores: 24-5 / 37-15 / 52-25 / 61-34

Player of the match: Boitumelo Mahloko (UJ)

UJ: Cornelia Mupenda, Boitumelo Mahloko, Yanke Broodryk, Mukhatshelwa Tshisikhaw, Adivhaho Tshivhiahuvhi, Zanell Blignaut, Sanelisiwe Ntobela, Londeka Buthelezi, Muhluri Hlatshwayo, Owethu Ngubane, Zene de Waal, Henlize Basson.

WITS: Giada Prinsloo, Amy Horn, Sidney Coetzee, Kgotso Precious Montshiwa, Simoné van Reenen, Panashe Chiranga, Alix Horn, Refilwe Tswai, Kirsten Mileman, Nicola Wilson, Thandiwe Mokiti, Lerato Thobeha.

NWU 43-36 UFS-KOVSIES

NWU held their nerve to defeat UFS-Kovsies 43-36 in a pulsating clash.

The Eagles started like a house on fire while Kovsies looked like a shadow of the former champions they are. The first quarter ended with NWU holding a comfortable 20-6 lead. The second quarter saw the momentum swing slightly in the favour of Kovsies as they took the game to NWU. When the halftime whistle sounded, NWU were however still in the lead (27-14).

The third quarter saw an incredible fightback from UFS, outscoring their opponents 8-5.

Demi-Leigh de Jager showed a different side of her game, delivering a performance that seemed to also uplift her teammates. The quarter was brought to a close with the deficit trimmed down to just 10 goals (33-22). NWU were able to keep their lead, with Kovsies bringing it down to a seven-goal game in the dying minutes. A bad first quarter however counted against them, as NWU ran out victorious. Credit must be given to Kovsies for fighting hard in the last three quarters, winning all of them.

Quarter scores: 20-6 / 27-14 / 33-22 / 43-36

Player of the match: Demi-Leigh de Jager (UFS-Kovsies)

NWU: Sunel Smit, Caitlin du Plessis, Jade Egwatu, Jomari Lübbe, Michelle Geduld, Tlotlang Mokomela, Keke Molotsi, Favour Umeh, Chelize Swart, Sanmarie Visser, Vivian Venancio, Martiné Jordaan.

UFS-Kovsies: Ane Retief, Bianca Pienaar, Xandri Fourie, Buhle Kubheka, Charne van Vuuren, Demi-Leigh de Jager, Elri Groenewald, Liame de Lange, Reratilwe Letsoalo, Lethabo Sehlapelo, Sheneca Smith, Ruandi van Dyk.

MADIBAZ 50-47 UWC

Madibaz picked up their first victory of their 2023 campaign when they beat UWC 50-47.

The first quarter saw a different-looking Madibaz performance, showing an intensity that had been missing in the first couple of games. Madibaz skipper Mothira Mohammad had an inspiring performance on attack and defence. The first quarter ended with Madibaz leading 8-6. The second quarter saw UWC coming out the blocks the stronger team but unfortunately let the Madibaz regain their rhythm, with Mothira and Kaylin Coetzer combining well once again. Madibaz went into the break with the score at 20-18.

The third quarter saw a much higher-scoring affair for the two sides, with the power play certainly playing its part. UWC however did not let their guard down in the encounter, outscoring the Madibaz 15-14. With the score at 35-33 to Madibaz at the end of the championship quarter, UWC were the ones needing a significant chase in the fourth.

The final score line saw it tipping towards the Madibaz, with the score reading 50-47. UWC walked away with a bonus point after losing with less than seven goals.

Quarter scores: 8-6 / 20-18 / 35-33 / 50-47

Player of the match: Mothira Mohammad (Madibaz)

Madibaz: Kaylin Coetzer, Mothira Mohammad, Andrea van der Merwe, Juanita van Tonder, Sibulele Kentane, Siyamthanda Dingiswayo, Nosipho Dweba, Britney van der Merwe, Kelly du Toit, Mitha Sinxo, Jeannique Rossouw, Bonique Solaan.

UWC: Nashitah Africa, Courtleigh Behr, Roné Carstens, Amber Coraizin, Renisha Daniels, Shevonne Hoffman, Adri Kannemeyer, Leandré Ketch, Shani Pick, Liandré Schoeman, Wiandi Van der Merwe, Kristin van der Ross.