Defending champions UP Tuks are on the verge of not qualifying for the semi-finals of the 2024 Varsity Netball tournament after their defeat in round 6 against UFS Kovsies at the Callie Human Hall in Bloemfontein. They must beat log leaders and still undefeated UJ on Monday 23 September if they want to keep their hopes alive. Victories for NWU and Maties have pushed them into the top four on the log. Here's how each of the round 6 games played out.
UFS KOVSIES 67 – 49 UP TUKS
With high stakes in the last bumper weekend of this year’s tournament, both UFS Kovsies and UP Tuks took to the court with the intent to stamp their authority. The former champions from the Free State came out on top with the defending champions from Pretoria now relegated down the log.
Kovsies scored first and seemed unstoppable. Their defence restricted Tuks’ opportunities to score with the result shorter passes to ensure more ball possession. This just motivated the home team to up their intensity, giving them a 15-9 lead at the end of the first 15 minutes.
Tuks responded with the second quarter's first goal, and the contenders went toe to toe for a while. Added pressure by Kovsies then started causing the defending champions to commit unforced errors. The big difference came when Kovsies called the first Power Play and stretched the gap even further (three goals to one). At half-time, Kovsies had built up a healthy 38-21 lead.
Despite Tuks approaching the third quarter with visibly more aggression, Kovsies easily absorbed it and answered with more effective defence and accurate goal shooting. The visitor’s lack of scoring opportunities saw the scoreboard reading 52-32 at the end of the penultimate period of play
Fighting a 20-point deficit in the last 15 minutes, Tuks had a mountain to climb. But despite several replacements and outscoring their opponents by two goals, they simply could not match Kovsies’ ball-handling speed. The home team scored a well-deserved 67-49 victory in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Quarter Scores: 15-9 | 38-21 | 52-32 | 67-49
FNB Player of the match: Refiloe Nketsa (UFS Kovsies)
UFS Kovsies: Liamé De Lange, Demi-Leigh de Jager, Megan Erasmus, Xandri Fourie, Elri Groenewald, Reratilwe Ke-Morena Letsoalo, Mienke Delport, Refiloe Nketsa, Nontobeko Mohuli, Rolene Streutker, Charné van Vuuren, Karla Victor.
UP Tuks: Alice Kennon, Caroline Paul, Kamogelo Maseko, Kylie van Wyk, Luca Keun, Marichelle Visagie, Melissa van Zyl, Milla Coetzee, Phophi Nematangari, Tinita van Dyk, Kyla Dames, Nonkcubeko Mjaliswa.
UJ 53 – 22 TUT
It took a while but log leaders UJ eventually overcame a feisty TUT to remain on course for another semi-final spot for the second year in a row.
TUT pocket rocket Naledi Makoa was instrumental in the centre court with quick and decisive passes. UJ had a definite height advantage around the goal circle but TUT wasn’t going to make scoring at all easy. Their indecisiveness with ball possession however led to their undoing and the Orange Army were 12-5 in the lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Pretoria-based team came back, launching wide attacks and got on the scoreboard first in the second quarter. UJ however kicked into higher gear and used their height advantage to turn possession into goals. During the Power Play, the Orange Army scored twice and TUT only once. The half-time score was 32-14 in favour of UJ.
The third quarter released more energy from both teams which entertained the remaining spectators. TUT was on the attack while at the same time defending with more vigour and
winning over the crowd. They outscored UJ by one goal but were still trailing on the scoreboard 40-23.
The UJ magic returned in the final quarter and made scoring multiple goals in succession look easy. They seemed more relaxed, took more risks and pure enjoyment was plastered over their faces. TUT doubled UJ’s goals during the Power Play, but it was too little too late and the Orange Army walked away with a 53-22 victory.
Quarter Scores: 12-5 | 32-14 | 40-23 | 53-22 (10 goals deducted from TUT for failing to include a minimum of two players from the designated transformation group)
FNB Player of the match: Alexandra Meimaris (UJ)
UJ: Alexandra Meimaris, Aphiwe Thusini, Boitumelo Mehloko, Cornelia Mupenda, Gugulethu Mdladla, Juanike Steinmann, Jade Niemand, Muhluri Hlatshwayo, Sanelisiwe Ntobela, Tarle Mathe, Luyanda Msomi, Yanke Broodryk.
TUT: Gomolemo Mashiane, Katleho Motaung, Modjadji Mokgehle, Naledi Makoa, Philile Bokwe, Keamogetswe Ngobeni, Oageng Motileng, Mosima Mamabolo, Desiree Mohlala, Thembalethu Buthelezi, Yolanda Makhubela, Whitney Tjie.
NWU 54 – 39 WITS
NWU had to deal with a plucky Wits towards the end of their encounter, but the Eagles pulled through an important win in the latter stages of the match.
NWU started the match with a bang, attacking the circle with determination. At the other end of the court, defenders Sanmarie Visser and Martiné Jordaan defended their ring brilliantly, deterring most Wits scoring opportunities. Sunel Smit’s accurate shooting for the Eagles made sure her team were 17-6 in the lead after the first 15 minutes.
In the second quarter, NWU kept the scoreboard ticking while Wits’ most significant challenge came in the form of breaking through the Eagle defence in the goal circle. The Potchefstroom team went into the break still ahead on 28-14.
After the break, Giada Prinsloo started finding her goal-scoring rhythm for Wits. The Power Play was split even between the two teams with both collecting four points from two attempts. Wits stayed with their opponents, scoring just one less than the Eagles. The scoreboard was still in NWU’s favour though, 44-29.
NWU kept Wits at bay in the final 15 minutes despite the Johannesburg-based team matching them goal for goal and fighting until the end. The match came down to which team created the most scoring opportunities, and this belonged to the Eagles who beat Wits 54-39.
Quarter Scores: 17-6 | 28-14 | 44-29 | 54-39
FNB Player of the match: Sunel Smit (NWU)
NWU: Casey Davids, Jade Egwatu, Nadine Hefer, Martiné Jordaan, Jomari Lübbe, Kegaugetswe Mashilo, Amori Matthee, Tlotlang Mokomela, Nicola Oosthuizen, Sunel Smit, Sanmarie Visser, Johanne Meyer.
Wits: Alix Horn, Amy Horn, Elmarie Vusieka, Esther Botha, Giada Prinsloo, Liani Gilmour, Oratile Mokone, Panashe Chiranga, Philasandre Ntuli, Shani Mokken, Thandiwe Mokiti, Zanele Soviya.
MATIES 63 – 22 MADIBAZ
After a few jitters in the opening minutes of the match, Maties took control of play and put in a dominant performance to convincingly beat Madibaz.
At the start of the first quarter, it was Madibaz who shot goals with confidence and it took Maties a few attempts to equalize. The Maroon Machine then started turning up the pressure to create more opportunities and pulled ahead, ending the first 15 minutes with a score of 20-8.
In the second quarter, Maties’ defence overpowered Madibaz, limiting their opponents’ scoring options. Maties, on the other hand, capitalised on their opportunities, even if it took a few attempts. When the hooter sounded for half-time, Maties led 31-14.
After the break, the Maroon Machine returned with a more consistent scoring pace by dominating ball possession. Madibaz had bouts of attacking brilliance, but they were few and far apart. During the Power Play, Maties were able to score twice without a worthy response from the opposition. The scoreboard read 46-17.
The final 15 minutes were characterised by Madibaz being plagued by handling errors making it difficult to retain proper ball possession. Maties continued with their strong performance, creating enough opportunities to make sure of a comprehensive 63-22 victory.
Quarter Scores: 20-8 | 31-14 | 46-17 | 63-22
FNB Player of the match: Syntiche Kabuya (Maties)
Maties: Adriana Carstens, Bianca Odendaal, Chrisley Marshall, Danielle van Nieuwenhuizen, Lize Rossouw, Michelle van der Merwe, Miriam Ndjadi, Renezia Andrews, Shanidine Bezuidenhout, Syntiche Kabuya, Lisa Ingwersen, Thabisa Yekani.
Madibaz: Angel Mlambo, Anke Britz, Edon Snyman, Erin Hartland, Hanniska van Vuuren, Inganathi Sapepa, Kaylin Coetzer, Kelly du Toit, Mothira Mohammad, Siyamthanda Dingiswayo, Tashlyn van Schoor, Jeannique Rossouw.
Round 7 fixtures on 23 September HERE.
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