UCT and Maties battled it out at the Coetzenburg Indoor Centre in Stellenbosch on Monday evening. The Maties side were the ultimate champions of the match and beat UCT with an emphatic 69-25 win.
The Coetzenburg Centre’s atmosphere was abuzz with excited home-side supporters keen to bring some gees to the courtside, as the Maties side went head-to-head with away-team UCT. A ‘Goliath versus David’ battle was the way the game was described by commentators. Sue Schooling, UCT’s coach, said that the match would be a huge step up for her team, as the top four squads tend to present a big challenge for underdog squad UCT.
It was clear from the starting whistle that the game would be an uphill battle for the UCT side. The first quarter of the game started with five consecutive goals by home side, Maties. This just in the first two minutes. The Maties side blazed through the quarter with their agility and length, upping their advantage, whilst using fast passes and accuracy against the UCT side.
UCT was not throwing the towel in though, as they aimed to play their full game no matter the squalls and proving this by taking advantage of any gaps in the Maties defence and scoring four goals. Maties blazed through, ultimately ending the first quarter with a lead of 17-4.
The second quarter of the game started with goals by both teams. UCT playing with gusto in the attempt to up their score. The first power play came during the second quarter with UCT scoring the first power play goal, but with Maties scoring three right after. The last of these being a high throw from a staggering distance.
A rare occurrence happened when the second power play whistle blew during the second quarter as well. Maties scored a couple of power play goals, with UCT scoring one. Overall, the first half showed a vast lead of interceptions, faster ball play and general ball possession dominance by Maties. The half time score was a staggering 40-15.
Carla Werth, a new player for Maties, said that her team aimed to up defence and attack, going into the second half. Phumi Shandu, from the UCT side said they aimed to go back to basics and move forward from there.
The second half of the game kicked off with the UCT side fighting to up their numbers on the scoreboard, with a goal by Micaela Peters in the first two minutes. They showed definite discipline and composure throughout and kept their cool, scoring five goals in the third quarter.
UCT shooters, as cool as cucumbers, even started enjoying the music playing as the game went on. Simone Peters, goal defender of the UCT side, contested rebounds to the best of her ability. The third quarter ending with a score of 52-20, led by Maties.
The fourth and final quarter of the game saw Maties continuing their winning streak with consecutive goal-after-goal action, that gave UCT a run for their money. UCT aimed to utilise Bagula, their most adaptable player, by changing her position on the court as the game progressed. UCT found trouble with the umpires during the last few minutes, with persistent warnings at attack. Maties played at a faster pace and dominated goal possession, turnovers, intercepts and attacks, ultimately setting them up for success with a final score and win of 69-25.
The FNB Player of the Match went to Annerine Snyman of the Maties side, who was happy with her team’s play. Maties’ captain, Juline Rossouw, said that the game was a good opportunity to up the Maties’ confidence. The UCT vice-captain, Fortuna Bagula, said that she was not very happy with team’s performance, but hope that they will go back to the drawing board and reassess the basics in order to up their performance for the rest of the competition. “The team’s morale is definitely still there though,” said Bagula.
FNB Player of the Match: Annerine Snyman (Maties)
Teams:
UCT: Fortuna Bagula (vice-captain); Paula Macnab; Phumi Shandu; Megan McCarley; Simone Peters (captain); Micaela Peters; Robyn Adams; Yeukai Chamba; Itseng Mogorosi; Marelise Coetzer; Marisa Du Preez; Natasha Jooste; Kirsty Macnab.
Maties: Juline Rossouw (captain); Jo Prins (vice-captain); Charmaine Baard; Cari Swart; Somari Els; Sasha-Lee Petersen; Nelandré Mostert; Saskia Stander; Stephanie Brandt; Annerine Snyman; Abeline Olivier; Carla Werth; Megan Gossman; Leanne Nigrini; Allison Malgas.
By Jessie Leverzencie
