The Maties started their 2019 Varsity Netball campaign with a bang as they defeated perennial rivals NWU 54-38 in a dominant defensive display at the Coetzenburg Sport Centre in Stellenbosch on Monday night.
The home team, with a large crowd behind them, were first to score and while the initial few minutes of the match was very even on the scoreboard, the Maties were slowly but surely building defensive pressure. They never went behind and eked out a narrow 11-6 lead after the first quarter with Captain Nichole Taljaard and her fellow sharpshooter Sian Moore sinking regular goals while the veteran defensive unit of Stephanie Brandt, Sasha-Lee Petersen and Jo Prins took no prisoners.
A mini NWU comeback saw the score somewhat narrow to 16-13 before the Maties dropped a gear and some slick and powerful play saw them open up a 10-goal lead at 23-13. The first Powerplay was called shortly thereafter and neither team fully capitalised with the Maties going into the break leading 29-16.
Coach Zanele Mdodana used all her experience and knowledge to motivate and strategise during the halftime break as the ladies in maroon came out flying and surged out to a 35-17 lead. Khomotso Mamburu also had a very strong third quarter and showed she can mix it up with the big names of Varsity Netball. Another Powerplay saw both teams score and at 40-23 the home team were looking to secure the bonus point for scoring 50 goals to go along with their certain victory. The third quarter ended at 43-25 and the writing was on the wall for the visitors. The Maties then introduced some of their younger players to Varsity Netball and a flurry of scoring saw the NWU slightly narrow the gap again but a late charge by the Maties saw them claim the vital bonus point and emerge victorious 54-38 to temporarily catapult them to the top of the Varsity Netball standings.
Maties next face TUT on Monday 2 September 2019 while NWU will want to grab a victory against UWC to restart their Varsity Netball campaign, with both these matches taking place at the Coetzenburg Sport Centre in Stellenbosch as part of a triple-header of Varsity Netball action on the day.
Final score
MATIES 54
NWU 38
Awards
FNB Player of the Match: Jo Prins (Maties)
Wimpy Moment Maker: Monique Reyneke (NWU)
MTN Interceptor of the Match: Stephanie Brandt (Maties)
Teams
Maties: 12 Stephanie Brandt, 3 Claudia Jarrard, 11 Khomotso Mamburu, 4 Chrisley Marshall, 1 Sian Moore, 10 Sasha-Lee Petersen, 8 Jo Prins, 13 Nicola Smith, 9 Caleigh Stuart, 2 Nichole Taljaard (captain), 6 Adri Uys, 5 Carla Werth.
Coach: Zanele Mdodana
NWU: 3 Jessica du Plessis, 14 Kailah Ferreira, 17 Anelda Jacobs, 16 Kaelyn Jansen, 2 Didintle Keebine, 12 Leonie Maree, 8 Mirriam Maroba, 9 Kamogelo Moiloe, 1 Monique Reyneke (captain), 11 Caitlinn Rousseau, 10 Lucy Strydom, 5 Alicia van Staden.
Coach: Elsunet du Plessis
By Dorfling Terblanche
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