Fireballs hold off Kingdom Stars in match of the day as TNL 2026 begins in style
- Netball SA
- 32 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The opening day of the Telkom Netball League Power Week 1 delivered a thrilling mix of dominant performances and nail-biting finishes, with the Division 1 clash between the Fireballs and Kingdom Stars emerging as the standout match of the day.
In a highly anticipated Division 1 encounter, defending champions the Fireballs were pushed all the way by a determined Kingdom Stars side before securing a hard-fought 43-38 victory.
Backed by a vocal home crowd, the Kingdom Stars matched the Fireballs’ intensity from the outset but the champions edged ahead to lead 25-20 at half-time in a fast-paced opening.
The Stars mounted a strong comeback in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to just three goals at one stage as the contest tightened to 35-32 heading into the final period.
A physical and fiercely contested fourth quarter saw both teams battle for control, with Tarle Mathe delivering an all-action performance across the court. However, late turnovers proved costly for the Stars, allowing the Fireballs to close out the win.
Despite finishing on the losing side, Thulisile Maduna (GD) was named Player of the Match, underlining the Kingdom Stars’ impressive performance.
The afternoon session got underway with the Malawi U21 side impressing, securing a 53-44 victory over the Kingdom Queens in a lively Division 2 encounter.
The Queen Cubs made a bright start, taking an early lead and carrying a 25-22 advantage into half-time. With the crowd building and fully engaged, the Kingdom Queens fought back strongly in the third quarter, levelling the scores at 35-35.
However, the Malawi U21 side showed composure in a tense final quarter, pulling away late to secure a well-earned win.
Florence Jeke (GA) was named Player of the Match for her influential role in attack.
One of the most dramatic finishes of the day came in the Division 2 clash between the Comets and Baobabs.
The Comets looked in control early on, leading 32-22 at half-time after settling into their rhythm in the second quarter.
But the Baobabs produced a spirited comeback, gradually chipping away at the deficit and taking a narrow lead in the final minute.
In a stunning twist, the Comets had the final say, converting a Telkom Supershot - the two-point scoring innovation - at the death to seal a dramatic 55-53 victory.
Bronwyn Goosen (GA) earned Player of the Match honours for her match-winning impact.
The Crinums closed out Day 1 with a commanding 97-40 victory over the Aloes in a one-sided Division 1 encounter.
The Crinums set the tone early, racing to a 19-8 lead at the end of the first quarter before extending their dominance to 38-15 at half-time.
Despite a more energetic start from the Aloes in the second half, the Crinums maintained control, stretching their lead to 56-25 before finishing strongly to cap a comprehensive win.
Karla Pretorius (GD) was named Player of the Match following a commanding defensive display.
Earlier in the day, the Tornados delivered a dominant 72-27 win over the Lilies, while the Diamonds edged Tshukudu 45-43 in a thrilling contest.
The Sunbirds also impressed with a 55-47 victory over Sonoblomo, making effective use of the Telkom Supershot to maintain their advantage.
With standout performances, dramatic finishes and a marquee clash that lived up to expectations, Day 1 set a high standard for the rest of Power Week 1.
The action continues on Day 2 as teams look to build momentum in what is already shaping up to be a fiercely competitive tournament.