Tuks got their Varsity Netball campaign off to a rocket start with a comprehensive 62-41 drubbing of Kovsies in Bloemfontein on Monday.
The teams were very even for the best part of the first 40 minutes or so before Tuks took the game away with a brilliant power play midway through the last quarter to hand Kovsies their biggest defeat in the history of the competition.
In that two-minute power play they scored five goals without reply, counting for ten points. That broke the Kovsies’ spirits after they were also unable to score a single goal in the first power play, which they called in the second quarter.
They were way too desperate during the power plays and made crucial mistakes such as being called for holding on to the ball for three seconds as well as for a foot fault. Tuks launched a strong comeback in the third quarter and turned a six goal deficit into a five goal lead by the end of the quarter.
Both teams were clearly rusty after having not played together in a competition recently. The shooting at goal was also quite poor and both coaches made changes from the third quarter onwards.
Chantelle Swart, a young goal attack of Tuks, made quite a significant impact when she replaced the experience Melissa Myburgh. None of the coaches would really be very satisfied with their teams’ performances. Lots of balls were intercepted or thrown away with inaccurate passes. Tshina Mdau, experience midcourt player of Tuks, walked away with the player of the match award.
FNB Player of the Match: Tshina Mdau (Tuks)
Final score: Kovsies 41-62 Tuks
Teams:
Kovsies: Gertriana Retief, Rieze Straeuli, Danelle Lochner, Lefébre Rademan, Khanyisa Chawane, Mariska Pieters, Tanya Mostert, Khomotso Mamburu, Alicia Puren, Rykie Venter, Frances Hurling, Deidre Fourie
UP-Tuks: Ine-Mari Venter, Melissa Kotze (formerly Myburgh), Chantelle Swart, Rumandi Potgieter, Anke Nothnagel, Marlize de Bruin, Tshinakaho Mdau (vice-captain), Shongile Hlungwana, Unelle Snyman, Shadine van der Merwe (captain), Jasmine Ziegelmeier, Juzelri Garbers
