Previously winless UJ got the better of UWC on Monday evening in Pretoria to finish their Varsity Netball season with a 49-33 win.
The victory meant that UJ, coached by Proteas captain Bongiwe Msomi, moved off the foot of the table up to sixth with UWC set to end the 2019 season as ‘wooden spoonists’.
For most of the first quarter of action, UWC remained neck and neck with the Orange Army and at one stage the score read 7-7. However, UJ finished the first 15 minutes stronger to open up a three goal lead, 11-8 when then first buzzer went.
This routine was much the same in the second quarter too with impressive defence on both ends of the court, from UWC’s Heidi Kuzatjike and UJ vice-captain Beverley Moyake making like difficult for the nominated goal scorers.
Nonetheless, Msomi’s charges came out of the second quarter best-placed, taking a 23-18 half-time lead into the changing rooms.
UJ stepped up the pace in a third quarter which arguably proved decisive for them as a their five-goal lead stretched out to 11 by the time UWC decided to take their power play in the hope that they would gain some goal-scoring momentum.
It didn’t quite work as UWC scored only one double-pointer but UJ held onto a 34-25 advantage following the two minutes and 35-25 at the end of the third quarter.
UWC were left with it all to do if they were going to condemn UJ to a winless season but, despite the best efforts of their midfield schemer Amber Coraizin, they fell short.
UJ called their Power Play in the final quarter, hoping to reach the 50-goal mark for a bonus point but it wasn’t to be. They did move the score from 43-31 to 47-33 during their two minutes, but then only added another two goals before the final whistle went for a 49-33 win.
Final score
UJ 49
UWC 33
Awards
FNB Player of the Match: Heidi Kuzatjike (UWC)
Wimpy Moment Maker: Amber Coraizin (UWC)
MTN Interceptor of the Match: Beverley Moyake (UJ)
Teams:
UJ: 1 Liza Kruger, 4 Chanelle Machimana, 16 Nthabiseng Masehle, 8 Nompumelelo Mbonambi, 13 Beverley Moyake (vice-captain), 14 Alicia Oosthuizen, 7 Kaylin Pienaar, 10 Nobuhle Sibisi, 15 Kendra Szeles, 9 Twanette Thoms, 2 Marileé van der Walt, 5 Rykie Venter (captain).
Coach: Bongiwe Msomi
UWC: 10 Cindy Amsterdam, 12 Courtleigh Behr, 3 Wilmedine Boer, 1 Amber Coraizin, 15 Aimee Cupido, 6 Gillian Fortuin, 4 Vendjihonga Katjaimo (vice-captain), 9 Heidi Kuzatjike, 11 Nthabiseng Sibeko, 14 Anuschka Snyders, 5 Keesha van Schalkwyk (captain), 8 Jami Vermeulen.
Coach: Janine du Toit
