With victories in all their matches so far, Dr Kenneth Kaunda have moved to the top of the log on the second day of the 2023 SPAR National Netball Championships at Hoërskool Rustenburg on Tuesday.
They have eight points. Johannesburg and Mangaung are joint second, with five points each. However, Johannesburg have a game in hand.
The match of the day was between Johannesburg and Mangaung when the title holders came from behind to snatch a draw.
The lead changed hands constantly, with Mangaung winning the first quarter, Johannesburg the second and Mangaung the third and fourth quarters.
With two minutes to go, Mangaung had a five-goal lead and the champions appeared to be out of the match.
But the Gauteng side had a burst of energy, and with some turnovers and intercepts clawed their way back. They scored two goals in the last 10 seconds to secure a 49-all draw.
Mangaung coach Martha Mosoahle-Samm was visibly disappointed.
“We had it in the bag and we lost,” she said.
“Well, it was a draw but it felt like a loss. I was very proud of the team, who performed very well for 55 minutes. They will learn from this experience and we can take a lot of confidence out of this game,” she said.
“I think we were a bit lucky,” said Johannesburg coach Elsje Jordaan.
“The girls kept on fighting right to the end, and we had some good intercepts at the right time.
“In a tournament like this, everyone wants to beat the defending champions and that’s a lot of pressure. But they kept their composure and we were able to grab a draw,” said Jordaan.
“We need to get rid of the unnecessary errors going forward.”
HUMDINGER
There was more disappointment for Mangaung later in the day when Dr Kenneth Kaunda beat them 51-46.
Elsunet du Plessis, coach of Dr Kenneth Kaunda, said she was very happy to be at the top of the log.
“The players are working as a team and supporting one another,” she said.
“The combinations are working well. All the teams in the A-division are strong so every match is important.”
The final match of the day was another humdinger, with Cape Winelands and Tshwane playing to a 59-59 draw.
Tshwane coach Rozanne Matthyse said she felt the team was getting better as the tournament progressed.
“We are building towards reaching the semifinals and ultimately the final,” she said.
Cape Winelands coach Nicolene Martin said she was happy with the draw.
“Both teams were very hungry for a win.”
In other matches played on Tuesday, Cape Town beat Buffalo City 55-34, Cape Winelands beat Nelson Mandela Bay 72-49, Dr Kenneth Kaunda beat Cape Town 57-31 and Buffalo City beat Nelson Mandela Bay 44-38.
Tickets for the games will be available at the venue – R20 for adults and R10 for children.
Selected matches will be broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Variety 4/Channel 209 (2-7 October).
