Netball South Africa - Action packed netball continues at the national championships

Action packed netball continues at the national championships

11 August 2010

Potchefstroom, South Africa – Despite the cold weather that persisted in Potchefstroom on Wednesday, the on court action was hot on the third day of the SPAR national netball championships.

Hosts Dr Kenneth Kaunda (North West South) and Boland provided the match of the day, which was action packed and ended in the host region winning by 53 goals to 40. Both teams played fast and adventurous netball, and Kaunda goalshooter, Chrisna Bootha (subs: correct) – who also plays for the SPAR National Netball Team - had a superb game, succeeding with almost every attempt at goal. Proteas teammate and Boland Counterpart, Christina Markgraaff, had a much better game than she did against Griqualand West on Tuesday, and national coach Carin Strauss who is watching the girls performances in preparation for the Commonwealth Games was beaming with pride.

Liezel Wium, Proteas captain, also had a good game, starting at centre and then moving to wing attack for the second half. Although Boland coach Mariana van Zyl conceded that her team was unlikely to make the final, she was philosophical about her team’s second defeat; “We still have four more matches (including the play-offs) and I was happy with the way we played today,” she said. “We played a more constructive game, and the players supported one another better than they did yesterday.”

Continuing with their winning streak, Gauteng North beat Western Province 61-24 in the first match of the day. With just one pool match left to play, Gauteng North seem likely to win their section and reach the final.

Although defeated in the first match of the day, Western Province coach Dalene Louw remains positive and believes that her team still has a chance of finishing second in their pool; “We’re not down and out yet,” she said. “We always knew Gauteng North were physically stronger than we are, and they made better use of their opportunities. But we will learn from today’s experience and do better tomorrow.”

It was a bad day for Gauteng West on Wednesday, who lost 47-29 to Elsje Jordaan’s young team from Gauteng East in their second match of the day. In other matches; Free State Motheo beat Gauteng Central 46-30 and defending champions Nelson Mandela Bay beat Gauteng West 47-30 to keep alive their hopes of finishing second in their pool.

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