Varsity Netball Rounds 6 – 7 - Student News Africa

A round up of results from rounds 6 and 7 played on Sunday (September 22) and Monday (September 23).

Round 6

UJ remain unbeaten as defending champs Tuks suffer another loss in Varsity Netball round 6.

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 with a solid defence while they carried on adding points. The home side went into half-time with a healthy 38-21 lead. 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 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. 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 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. The third quarter released more energy from both teams which entertained the remaining spectators. The UJ magic returned in the final quarter however and made scoring multiple goals in succession look easy to 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. Sunel Smit’s accurate shooting for the Eagles made sure her team were in the lead after the first 15 minutes. In the second quarter, NWU kept the scoreboard ticking and 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 but NWU kept Wits at bay in the final 15 minutes despite the Johannesburg-based team matching them goal for goal and they took the victory.

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

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.

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. 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 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

UP Tuks 56 – 48 UJ

UP Tuks showed why they are the defending champions and came up with the goods when it mattered most. It was UJ’s first defeat in this year’s tournament. Tuks ignited the scoreboard in what was expected to be an explosive match. UJ responded by reminding their opponents why they were on top of the log. Tuks found motivation from their supporters who erupted with every positive move, matching the Orange Army’s faithful support team.

Both teams kept up the pressure and focus and went to half time with the scores tied at 24-24. When they returned, neither of the teams gave each other an inch and each goal scored was answered by the opposing team. The defending champions broke the tension in the last quarter by stretching their lead goal by goal. UJ tried but to keep up but were beaten by Tuks, who keep their title hopes alive.

Quarter Scores: 11-12 | 24-24 | 39-35 | 56-48

FNB Player of the match: Marichelle Visagie (UP Tuks)

NWU 54 – 38 Maties

It was an all-or-nothing affair between NWU and Maties, with the winner making sure they would progress to next week’s semi-finals. The Eagles managed to keep their composure and secured a vital victory. Maties were first on the scoreboard, but NWU defended well and matched their opponents goal for goal.

The difference came in the all-important third quarter when NWU took full advantage of the Power Play and scored eight goals. The Maroon Machine simply had no answers with most of their efforts proving fruitless. Goal-shooting reflected the composure of each team as Maties’ broken spirit resulted in missed opportunities while the Eagles’ efforts were successful in handing them a 54-38 victory.

Quarter Scores: 13-9 | 21-16 | 41-24 | 54-38

FNB Player of the match: Sanmarie Visser (NWU)

Kovsies 112 – 9 TUT

Four-time champions UFS Kovsies entered the match brimming with confidence, knowing that they had secured a home semi-final. It showed in the end result of their drubbing of TUT. The well-oiled Kovsies machine played at their own pace while at the same time making goals rain through the hoop. The half time score was a massive 60-10.

Kovsies continued their near-flawless performance as the game flowed after the break. TUT did manage to defend well on the odd occasion but the odds were clearly stacked against the Pretoria team. The umpires’ whistles were inaudible through the crowd noise and vuvuzela chimes. The last Power Play pushed the Free State team over that 100-goal mark and the former champions sealed an emphatic victory over TUT.

Quarter Scores: 29-2 | 60-10 | 84-15 | 112-9 (10 goals deducted from TUT for failing to include a minimum of two players from the designated transformation group)

FNB Player of the match: Rolene Streutker (UFS Kovsies)

Wits 62 – 50 Madibaz

Wits left their best for last as the surprise package of this year’s tournament came from behind to beat Madibaz and record their second win. It was toe-to-toe in the opening quarter of the match as the two teams matched each other equally.

With a mere five goals separating the two teams in the final quarter, Wits threw it all in and extended their lead with the largest margin up to that point. Madibaz then made some changes and started to fight back. In the home stretch, both teams upped their game, but it is Wits who walked away with a deserved victory.

Quarter Scores: 16-11 | 26-31 | 45-40 | 62-50

FNB Player of the match: Panashe Chiranga (Wits)

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.

Courtesy Varsity Sports

You can see the fixtures, results and log here

You can get tickets for the Semi-final fixtures on 30 September here