Fireballs remain the team to beat

Day 4 of the Telkom Netball League (TNL) was full of standout performers and thrilling victories. The highly anticipated Gauteng derby was a nail-biting encounter between the Fireballs and the Jaguars. At half-time, the Fireballs were leading by four goals, with a score of 26-22. The match was tightly contested, with the Fireballs maintaining marginal leads quarter by quarter. The score breakdown by quarter was as follows: Q1: 14-12, Q2: 26-22, Q3: 40-35 and Q4: 51-47.

The Golden Fireballs edged out the Jaguars by four in an electrifying netball match. Despite both teams having the same number of shooting attempts, the Fireballs' superior goal shooting percentage proved to be the decisive factor. The Jaguars benefited from a height advantage, thanks to players Zane Bordonstein and Ine-Mari Venter, who helped them secure rebounds. However, the Fireballs' strategic approach, which emphasised ball recycling and precise shooting, paid off. They completed 100 circle feeds, reflecting coach Dr Elsje Jordaan's game plan.

Nonsikelelo Mazibuko was named Player of the Match and the Fireballs maintained their unbeaten status in the tournament. Jordaan praised her team's energy, discipline and leadership while Jaguars coach Rozanne Matthyse commended her team's resilience and improvement while highlighting areas for growth, particularly their physicality. The match showcased the competitive spirit of both teams.

The Sunbirds narrowly defeated Tshukudu 46-44 in a close match, overcoming numerous errors and injuries. Their resilience was evident as they significantly improved their shooting percentage in the second half, marking Tshukudu's first loss of the Power Week. Key stats included the Sunbirds recording 10 more turnovers and slightly higher penalties, while both teams had equal rebounds. Notably, neither team scored on the super shot. This win highlighted the Sunbirds' determination, prompting both coaches to review the game for improvement opportunities.

The Southern Stings faced the SPAR Baby Proteas in a match that showcased momentum shifts. The Proteas delivered a strong performance with an impressive 88% shooting percentage, while the Stings managed to secure the win despite a missed super shot. This was the second match for the Stings, who earlier defeated the Baobabs 45-41.

In their final match of the day, the Crinums defeated the Flames 70-42. They started strong, maintaining control throughout the game with a 91% goal shooting percentage and 91 circle feeds compared to the Flames' 62. The Crinums showcased excellent ball control, scoring four points from two successful super shots. This win is particularly significant following their previous losses, highlighting their skills under the guidance of coach Martha Mosoahle-Samm.

"I'm proud of the girls for giving their all today. It’s wonderful to see our young players stepping up and performing well as the team works towards staying in the top four. I'm excited about our talent, like Keke, who thrives under pressure," she said.

"It was a tough day at the office. The Crinums' defence was relentless, and we missed key opportunities. We need to play smarter and improve our ball placement. With many players focused on exams, preparation was challenging but we won't use that as an excuse. We'll revisit our game plan and come back stronger in Durban," said Elsunet du Plessis, the Flames coach.

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 at just R100.

Results

SA U21 45-41 Baobabs

Lillies 47-37 Comets

Tornados 49-40 KD Stars

Fireballs 51-47 Jaguars

Tshukudu 44-46 Sunbirds

SA U21 49-52 Stings

Crinums 70-42 Flames

Tuesday Fixtures

7am Comets v Diamonds

9am Zambezi Eagles v Fireballs

11am Sonoblomo v Tornados

1pm Aloes v Stings

3pm Sunbirds v KD Queens

5pm Baobabs v Flames

7pm Tshukudu v KD Stars