Varsity netball round-up

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

A SIZZLING SUNDAY AS VARSITY NETBALL TOURNAMENT HEATS UP ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Cape Town, 21 September – In what has proved to be a most entertaining weekend of bumper high-class action in netball, the tournament quickly gained momentum today after some dominant performances and shock victories were displayed. With matches taking place at both NMMU and NWU campuses simultaneously, a tremendous amount of talent was on display between UP-Tuks and VUT, NMMU and Maties, NWU and UCT and the final game between UFS-Kovsies and UJ.

In the first match of the day, UP-Tuks put in a dominant performance which secured them a bonus point 84-22 victory over VUT. Keeping their unbeaten run intact UP-Tuks came out the stronger of the two teams in the first quarter and grabbed an early lead. They continued to show their dominance as the game progressed with the Pretoria ladies racing into a commanding 41-13 lead at the halftime break. There was no stopping Tuks in the third quarter and final quarters either as they pressed their advantage home making use of the final quarter power play to cruise away with a 62 point victory.
FNB Player of the Match: Vanes-Marie du Toit

In a nail biting upset, the underdogs Maties pulled off an amazing 51-42 victory over NMMU which saw the Stellenbosch ladies pick up their first win of the competition handing NMMU their first loss in the process. In what was a fierce contest played at high intensity, Maties showed their metal and took advantage of NMMU’s missed chances fending off their opposition’s valiant efforts to take the hard fought game. In what was an extremely exciting final quarter, NMMU was unable to reduce the deficit that had earlier been won by Maties who held on to claim a narrow 51-42 bonus point victory.

FNB Player of the Match: Charmaine Baard

NWU put in a near flawless display to demolish a lacklustre UCT by 66 points to 31, picking up their second bonus point of the weekend. The North West ladies put in a dominant performance in the first quarter surging to a 20-2 point lead at the first break. UCT fought back valiantly in the second quarter but their North West opponents did enough to hold onto their lead as the teams went into the break. Pukke came out the stronger of the sides in the second half and continued to exert their dominance throughout the match, giving the hapless Cape students a lesson in goal shooting which saw them run out comfortable 66-31 winners.

FNB Player of the Match: Chante Steyn

In the final match of the evening, UFS-Kovsies displayed their ruthlessness against UJ walking away with an emphatic 79-36 win, their second of the competition. Getting off to a fast start thanks to some sublime handling, the Free State ladies held a 22-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Not allowing their opponents any time to recuperate, Kovsies continued to hammer home their advantage in the second and third quarter leading by 65-27 as the teams entered the final quarter of the match. UJ tried to find some rhythm with two quick goals as the fourth quarter began but were once again overrun by the stronger team on the day. Kovsies came back strong to run out comfortable winners handing the Joburg ladies their second loss of the competition.

FNB Player of the Match: Danelle Willemse

This year’s Netball fixtures include the exciting Power Play which is accompanied by fast-paced music and exhilarated fans. The games will also include DJs, MCs, cheerleaders, mascots, sponsor giveaways, smoke machines, laser lights and much more. The concept is that of a playground, where the best players can test themselves against their peers. Market-leading brands sponsor the platform, with Samsung, FNB, Cell C, Legit and Wimpy as the lead netball sponsors.

Operating across a number of different sports codes in South Africa, the Varsity Sports brand remains committed to changing the lives of others through the power of sport. We believe that by bringing sport and entertainment together, we can offer athletes, players, fans and general supporters a compelling reason to support the development of intervarsity sport in this country.

“Varsity Netball is a hotbed of thriving young sports talent in South Africa, and coaches, administrators and anyone with influence in the world of netball will be watching our players closely during the tournament,” says Duitser Bosman, CEO of Varsity Sports.

He adds, “Varsity Sports is seeing many promising sportsmen and women successfully compete at its events and gain the attention they deserve, whilst achieving academic excellence.”

Carrying a five-year exclusive broadcast agreement with SuperSport, the Varsity Netball tournament is aired each Sunday and Monday night on Channel 208 or 210. This allows you to keep up with the very latest developments in the performances of the participating teams. Join us as eight of our top netball-loving varsities battle it out for top honours at this year’s tournament.