Netball South Africa - Diamonds under pressure as they drop to fifth place

Diamonds under pressure as they drop to fifth place

12 July 2011

South Africa - With a single round of the league fixtures remaining in the first Netball Grand Series competition the Black Diamonds are suddenly under severe pressure to make the semi-finals after their comprehensive 54-30 loss to the Galaxy Blues. The result has boosted the Ibhayi Gales to fourth place following their 52-44 win over the Western Storms in Kuils River Friday night.
All four winning sides over the weekend secured a bonus point win while all the losers went home empty-handed. The Red Kestrels were no match for the Jets who won convincingly 51-35, while the Lightning Roses’ 64-40 victory against the Kingdom Queens merely reinforced their dominance in them league phase in the first 13 matches.
The Diamonds this coming weekend have it all to day against the Starlight Jets, a side that is still hopeful of finishing second on the log. To ensure that the Diamonds make the play-offs, a bonus point win is necessary. Should the Gales get only a single bonus point and the Diamonds three, there will be a count-out between the two teams where the Diamonds have a big advantage.
The Jets were impressive in patches on Saturday – and the centre court was controlled by Simmi Mdaka with defenders Debbie Nieuwoudt and Christelle Ellis also in top form.

The Blues win over the Diamonds was revenge for their defeat in the first round – and as a team they will be buoyed by the fact that their World Cup returnees should be available for their last match Red Kestrels, which will probably see them retain their second place on the log for determining the play-off opponents.

The weekend’s results are:
Starlight Jets 51 Red Kestrels 35,
Lightning Roses 64 Kingdom Queens 40,
Ibhayi Gales 52 Western Storms 44,
Galaxy Blues 54 Black Diamonds 30.

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