Day 6 of the Telkom Netball League (TNL) brought an exhilarating day of competition featuring a thrilling lineup of eleven matches played between the Sun City Super Bowl and Sun Park.
The Crinums delivered a commanding performance against the Flames, winning 68-45. The team’s dominance was evident throughout the game, with the Flames struggling to keep up. The Crinums’ attack was relentless, with 80 attempts compared to the Flames’ 53.
The Crinums’ defence was solid, forcing three held balls and eight interceptions. This strong defensive display was a key factor in their victory. Coach Mosoahle-Samm expressed her pride in her team, saying, “I’m very proud of the girls, it was a big win for us, we needed it.” She also highlighted the importance of giving other players opportunities, allowing them to feel the pressure of playing against a big team.
The Flames seemed to lose momentum after the first quarter, allowing the Crinums to take control of the game. Coach Elsunet du Plessis acknowledged that her team was inconsistent but saw positive aspects of their performance. She said, “I think we were too inconsistent… but still there were passages of play that were very good and we can build on that.” She emphasised the need for her team to refocus and come back stronger.
The Fireballs emerged victorious in their match against the Aloes, winning 47-40. The match saw a closely contested battle between the two teams, with the Aloes leading 11-10 in the first quarter and 23-22 in the second quarter. The third quarter ended in a 32-32 draw, before the Fireballs pulled ahead to secure the win.
The Aloes showed promise and confidence in their performance, despite not securing the win. Coach Milisa Mnganu-Domm praised her team’s potential, saying, “The exposure for our girls is very important because there’s nothing that beats game time and experience… The girls have shown that they got potential which we have always known.” She added, “It could’ve been a better performance, I think it just shows that don’t put the underdog away.”
Fireballs’ Coach Dr. Elsje Jordaan expressed relief and satisfaction with the win, saying, “Well done to the Aloes, I thought they really pitched up… I am happy and relieved with the win, 2 points is 2 points and it is really important to keep winning.” The Fireballs’ consistency and determination were key factors in their success, and they will look to build on this momentum in their next match.
The Jaguars had a fantastic day on the court, dominating two matches. They delivered a strong performance, outclassing the Baobabs 65-38. The team’s early dominance set the tone for the rest of the game, with the Jaguars’ efficiency evident in their statistics. The Jaguars took advantage of every opportunity with 11 interceptions, superior Supershot attempts, and favourable circle feeds.
Standout player performances included Ine-Marì Venter’s phenomenal game, with 49 attempts, and solid defensive plays from Jamie Williamson, Zané Bodenstein, and Lungile Mthembu. However, the team faced some setbacks, with Janie Van Wyk being temporarily replaced due to concussion protocol and replaced by Jamie Williamson, while Alice Kenon also sustained an injury.
Earlier in the day, the Jaguars secured a 56-49 win over the Zambezi Eagles, showcasing their skills and teamwork. Coach Rozanne Matthyse of the Jaguars said, “I think that was a good start for us… Now we have to start working on finishing strong. A lot of our players are coachable, and that’s important. They know what they want from this competition, and they are always focused on our process.”
Baobabs Coach Emily Mathosa reflected on her team’s struggles, saying, “We did not start well, I think that’s why the score went up. If we had maintained our own centre passes, the score would never be like this… I am actually happy that we were able to improve in the second and third quarters.” Despite the challenges, Coach Mathosa hopes her team will bounce back in upcoming matches.
The Telkom Netball League is heating up, with exciting matches and impressive team performances. You can catch the action live on SuperSport Variety 4 channel 209 or check out the Netball South Africa website for fixtures and updates.
Tickets are available on the Netball South Africa (NSA) website here at just R100.
Full Day Results:
Sunbirds 60-27 Lillies
Stings 63-40 SPAR Baby Proteas
Jaguars 56-49 Zambezi Eagles
Tornados 60-42 Sonoblomo
Diamonds 32-39 Comets
Flames 45-68 Crinums
Aloes 40-47 Fireballs
KS Stars 45-41 Tshukudu
Stings 57-61 Zambezi Eagles
KD Queens vs Sunbirds
Jaguars vs Baobabs
Friday 2 May 2025 Fixtures:
07:00 Sonoblomo vs Diamonds
09:00 Lillies vs KD Queens
11:00 Aloes vs Baobabs
13:00 Tornados vs Tshukudu
15:00 SPAR Baby Proteas vs Flames
17:00 Sunbirds vs KD Stars
19:00 Jaguars vs Fireballs
