NMMU bagged their first win in this year’s Varsity Netball tournament when they beat UCT 55-23 in Round Two in Stellenbosch on Monday.
The Port Elizabeth side were never troubled in the game and won each of the four quarters with ease. UCT were also made to work hard for the few points they got against a fantastic NMMU defence.
NMMU showed that they meant business from the start with some ruthless attacking play. The Port Elizabeth side dominated possession and after the first five minutes they led 5-2. UCT became more competitive as the quarter went on, but found it hard to break through the NMMU defence.
The Cape side could only add three more points in the next ten minutes, while NMMU continued to find points with ease and found themselves in double figures with five minutes still to play in the first quarter. They eventually took a 12-5 lead into the next quarter.
NMMU started the second quarter just as they did in the first and after the first five minutes they added another four points to lead 16-5. UCT struggled to string consecutive moves together and found it tough to find points.
UCT had more possession during the second quarter, but NMMU’s defence seemed to improve as the game went on and they only allowed UCT a total of four points in that 15-minute period. At half-time NMMU were leading 23-9.
A powerplay was called for in the first minute of the third quarter and both teams upped the tempo to take advantage of the two point rule. NMMU managed a score in that period through Kara Willemse, who was having a fantastic game for her side.
UCT played their best netball in the latter stages of the third quarter and at one stage there was a possibility that they could win the quarter. However, NMMU’s speed on the counter was a marvel to behold and they took a 20-goal lead into the fourth quarter with the score line reading 36-16.
The final 15 minutes was a stop-start affair to begin with NMMU continuing to find points regularly. They added another seven points in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter to just the one from UCT.
The game’s second powerplay was called for in the final ten minutes and both teams scored double points as the pace of the game increased once again. With five minute left NMMU eventually reached the 50-point mark to bag a valuable bonus point. By the time the full-time whistle was blown there was a 32-point gap between the two teams.
FNB Player of the Match: Kara Willemse (NMMU Madibaz)
