Madibaz kept their hopes of a semi-final, however slim, alive with a comfortable 57-22 win over TUT in Monday’s Round 6 clash.
TUT began the match with only nine fit players (vice-captain Lentsamang Motau out with a knee injury and Lerato Sedumedi with her left arm in a sling), but fought on bravely.
Madibaz claimed a 13-3 first quarter lead on the back of goal-shooter Jody Vorster and goal attack Bianca Blom being effective up-front.
TUT, meanwhile, found themselves crowded out whenever in possession and thus struggled to build a rhythm.
The 2019 Varsity Netball returnees had a more productive second quarter, by scoring five goals – largely through captain Happy Makofane. At the same time, Theoner Mthombeni was showing her prowess in defence making a few interceptions and rebounds.
Nonetheless, the Madibaz were still scoring at regular intervals and the score read 29-8 at half time.
The ladies from Nelson Mandela Bay had a far more comfortable third quarter as tiredness inevitably started to set into the depleted TUT line-up. After a slow start to the 15 minutes, Blom at goal-shooter found her range before TUT took their Powerplay.
It didn’t work for the underdogs as they failed to score while Madibaz did, landing two goals.
By the time the quarter was done and dusted, Madibaz led 42-11 – with a bonus point on the horizon.
The bonus point duly came in the final 15 minutes, when Carla Viviers (on at goal attack) sunk the first goal during Madibaz’s Powerplay. In the end, they scored two double-pointers, while TUT also nabbed one throughy Cindy Selwana.
In the closing stages, TUT managed to sink five further goals to highlight their fighting spirit but in the end they suffered another loss – 22-57 – though Mthombeni did claim the FNB Player of the Match gong for her efforts in defence.
Final score
MADIBAZ 57
TUT 22
Awards
FNB Player of the Match: Theoner Mthombeni (TUT)
Wimpy Moment Maker: Jody Vorster (Madibaz)
MTN Interceptor of the Match: Jeanie Steyn (Madibaz)
Teams
Madibaz: 2 Bianca Blom (vice-captain), 3 Jamie-Leigh Goeda, 8 Lieze Greeff, 7 Siphosethu Kilani, 10 Noluthando Maliehe, 9 Mothira Mohammed, 12 Dillian Pienaar, 4 Hlumisa Sithonga, 5 Jeanie Steyn (captain), 15 Philene van Niekerk, 11 Carla Viviers, 1 Jody Vorster.
Coach: Lana Krige
TUT: 16 Yolanda Charles, 13 Mpho Gololo, 9 Dinah Khetsi#, 11 Mpho Mabitsela, 1 Happy Makofane (captain), 10 Nkoloki Malebana, 2 Lentsamang Motau (vice-captain)*, 7 Theoner Mthombeni, 8 Matamela Murivhami, 6 Nozipho Nkosi, 12 Lerato Sedumedi*, 4 Cindy Selwana.
Coach: Dumisani Chauke
# absent * injured
