The air was thick with nervous tension, nevertheless both teams came out hammer and tong with UWC looking for their first victory over the Madibaz in Varsity Netball.

It seemed that the experience gained over the previous season for UWC, was about to pay dividends as they controlled the tempo with calmness from the outset, racing to an early three-point lead despite all the nervous tensions. The Madibaz were in no mood to just roll over and concede to their opponents, with UWC’s calmness going out the window as soon as they called their Power Play very early on in the first quarter. The Madibaz capitalised on this call and scored four unanswered goals to turn around the deficit and go to an 8-3 lead. This made for an interesting match as the Madibaz were looking to avenge their recent defeat to UWC at the USSA tournament.

The Power Play result was a psychological blow to the team from the Cape and they started doubting themselves, whereas it provided the spark that the Madibaz needed to start believing again. UWC, under pressure from the opposing team coupled with the disastrous Power Play, did well at this point to compose themselves and recover to trail by only three goals after the first quarter.

UWC made tactical substitutions very early on in the second quarter by taking off their captain Keesha van Schalkwyk on WA, moving Heinke Swarts to WA and bringing on Wilmedine Boer at centre. Madibaz came out in the second quarter as UWC did the first quarter and scored five unanswered goals before UWC could add to their score. Unlike UWC, Madibaz capitalised further on their start thumping UWC in the second quarter by 20 to 6 resulting in a 36-19 lead at the end of the second quarter that all but assured the result for the Madibaz.

With UWC bringing Keesha van Schalkwyk back on at centre, Heinke Swarts to WA and Wilmedine to defence, the third quarter was a much tighter contest that swung back and forth as both teams fought to gain superiority.

UWC’s tall timber, Jaumbuaije Zauana, was under severe pressure in the shooting circle by the brutal defending from Jeanie Steyn throughout the game, who was cautioned and finally sent off in the last quarter. UWC could not exploit the one-man advantage and the final score of 61 to 41 maybe not such a fair reflection of the game considering UWC’s woeful Power Plays.

Maties lies in waiting and UWC should lift their game by a significant margin to compete and stay in that contest if they yearn to improve on their sixth place finish of last year.

Madibaz: Jeanie Steyn (GK, captain), Palesa Poyo (GD), Nobubele Phuza (WD) Arné Rust (C), Carla Viviers (WA/GA),   Bianca Blom (GA), Nolusindiso Twani (GGS) SUBSTITUTES: Jody Vorster , Yolishwa Gusha, Mihlali Mahlangeni, Hlumisa Sithonga, Yoliswa Gusha, Eloise Webb.
Coach: Lana Krige.

UWC: Esli Triegaardt (GK),  Savannah Kasner (GD), Alicia Pieterse (WD), Heike Swartz (C),  Keesha van Schalkwyk(WA), Vendjihonga Katjaimo (GA), Jaumbuaije Zauana (GS), SUBSTITUTES: Gailynn Potts, Cindy Amsterdam, Akhona Faye, Ilke Cape Wilmedine Boer.
Coach: Janine du Toit
Assistant coach: Freda Kemp 

FNB Player of the Match: Nobubele Phuza
Samsung Best Shot Award: Nolusindiso Twani