Adjectives and superlatives are akin to revving your car on a relaxing Sunday drive: there is seldom a need for such excess.
But, when words such as ‘splendid’, ‘marvellous’, ‘impeccable’ and ‘fabulous’ best serve the purpose of describing the NWU-Pukke’s remarkable run of form in the Varsity Netball competition, there is no other option but waking the neighbourhood.
On Monday night at the Kompanelo Hall in Potchefstroom the NWU-Puk cemented their spot at the top of the Varsity netball log with an impressive 52-29 win against Maties. It was Pukke’s fourth win in as many games, whilst also securing their fourth bonus point. They are the only unbeaten the in the competition.
It has been said before and it will be preached again: this is a team that can defend. They were ruthless on defence and completely dominated centre-court against the team from Stellenbosch.
Also, the manner with which they secured a bonus point in the last quarter speaks volumes about their composure on attack. Did they need that bonus point? No, they did not. Did they make an emphatic statement putting the foot down when all they needed was to keep Maties at bay? Yes, that they did.
Devout adherers to every tenet of netball’s faith? Oh, that they are.
Dorette Badenhorst’s side have scored the most goals (259) in the competition and conceded the least (141). That’s not only an indication of a balanced side, but a testament to a unbeatable coaching strategy.
At this stage, the only gripe about the side can be that they are predictably brilliant. They should, however, heed a warning from their hockey counterparts.
The NWU-Puk’s hockey side was nigh unbeatable in their Varsity Hockey campaign but stumbled over the last hurdle when they succumbed to Maties in the final, a side they had the better of in earlier rounds.
It is for this reason the fortitude they showed in the last quarter should be praised. The girls showed that they know how to shake a tree when the goal pickings are slim. It is the sort of performance that says: We are ready for a semifinal. We are ready for a final.
Before that there is the all but small matter of facing NMMU at the same venue on Monday. More on that later. For now, it is all about making the valves bounce and the neighbours curse.
By Bertie Jacobs
