NWU-Pukke were made to work hard to record their first 2015 Varsity Netball when they defeated UJ 60-52 in Bloemfontein on Monday.
The Potchefstroom ladies were sitting pretty at the halfway stage of the match but massive efforts in the final two quarters by UJ saw them come agonizingly close to snatching the victory themselves.
Pukke made a fast start to the encounter and capitalised on UJ’s mistakes to take a 6-2 lead but the Johannesburg ladies were not going to let the gap get too far away from them as they began to find their rhythm.
UJ were being let down by some errors in attack and found themselves trailing Pukke 7-14. The Potchefstroom ladies went into the first break holding a commanding 17-9 lead.
UJ emerged rejuvenated from the break and looked much better as they looked to reduce the deficit but were unable to do so as Pukke managed to take the score to 22-13.
The lead grew to 10 points with five minutes remaining in the quarter as Pukke led 26-16. There was no stopping the Potchefstroom ladies for the remainder of the quarter as they headed into the half-time break with a 31-19 lead.
Pukke made five changes at the start of the third quarter and it proved to be the opening UJ needed as they managed to reduce the deficit to just seven points.
With their tails up, the Johannesburg ladies called for the first powerplay of the match but Pukke were about to maintain their seven point lead with five minutes remaining in the quarter. UJ continued to stage a comeback and trailed Pukke 35-39 at the end of the third quarter.
Pukke called for the second powerplay at the start of the final quarter and quickly brought up their bonus point as they held a 50-40 lead. With eight minutes remaining in the contest, Pukke held onto an eight point lead.
UJ continued to press hard and managed to secure a bonus point of their own when they reached the magic 50-point mark, however, Pukke did enough to hold out for the victory.
FNB Player of the Match: Lentsa Motau (NWU-Pukke)
Teams:
NWU-Pukke: Kifiloe Tsotetsi, Renske Stoltz, Izanna Muller, Lentsa Motau, Chante Bester, Jeante Strydom, Zandre Kruger.
Replacements: Sigrid Burger, Marna Claassens, Mandolene Hermanus, Jomari Myburgh, Monique Reyneke.
UJ: Deancke Rhoode, Kim-Roche Holmes, Kylie Jardine, Ntombizodwa Yengwav, Jodie Brown, Kendra Szeles, Anelique Molefe.
Replacements: Courtenay Davis, Tanya Liechterkost, Nompumelelo Mbonambi, Halala Nxumalo, Christell Botha.
