UFS-Kovsies got their title defence off to a positive start after claiming a hard fought 47-38 victory over NWU-Pukke in Bloemfontein.
The Bloemfontein ladies outscored their opponents in three of the four quarters to claim the win but Pukke will take plenty of positives from the match, despite the loss.
The first quarter got off to a tense start as points were traded while both sets of defences managed to keep the score down to a minimum as the sides remained level at 5-5 after 10 minutes. Pukke were beginning to feel the pressure and some unforced errors crept into their game which allowed Kovsies to take a 12-6 lead at the first break.
Kovsies maintained a high intensity at the resumption but could only manage to trade points as they maintained their six point lead over Pukke with seven minutes remaining. The home side called for the first powerplay with four minutes remaining in the quarter and they took advantage to score six goals and race to a 23-11 lead at the end of the powerplay. Pukke grabbed two late scores to head into the half-time break trailing Kovsies 13-24.
Pukke came out fighting in the third quarter to outscore Kovsies 5-3 in the opening five minutes before calling for the powerplay with nine minutes remaining as Kovsies led 27-20. The home side once again made the most of the double points on offer and stretched their lead to 31-22 with seven minutes remaining.
Pukke continued to fight back and after a period of dominance, managed to reduce the deficit to just six points as they trailed Kovsies 28-34 heading into the final quarter.
The Potchefstroom girls rallied hard in the final quarter and continued to trail by six points with 10 minutes remaining in the match. Kovsies turned up the intensity once again and stretched the lead to 41-34 with five minutes to play in the contest. Pukke were not going down without a fight though but the home side did enough to keep their noses ahead and bag the win.
FNB Player of the Match: Tanya Mostert
Teams:
Kovsies: Danelle Willemse, Rieze Straeuli, Ané Botha, Lauren-Lee Christians, Tanya Mostert, Karla Mostert, Alicia Puren.
Replacements: Dénielle van der Merwe, Lefébre Rademan, Dakalo Tshikala, Khomotso Mamburu, Maryke Coetzee.
Pukke: Kifiloe Tsotetsi, Renske Stoltz, Izanna Muller, Lentsa Motau, Chante Bester, Jeante Strydom, Zandre Kruger.
Replacements: Sigi Burger, Marna Claassens, Mandolene Hermanus, Jomari Myburgh, Monique Reyneke.
