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Johannesburg Heads to National Netball Champs Semis
Johannesburg has claimed the top spot in the rankings in a captivating round-robin battle during the 2023 SPAR National Netball Championships. The competition at Hoërskool Rustenburg in North West, South Africa witnessed fierce team clashes.
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A Near-Perfect Journey
The defending champions faced a minor setback with a 49-all draw against Mangaung earlier in the week. Despite trailing by five goals in the final minutes, Johannesburg displayed resilience and came out with a draw.
However, this draw didn’t dampen their spirits. On the fourth day, they secured a resounding 66-43 victory against Nelson Mandela Bay, leading 37-22 at halftime. Later the same day, they outperformed last year’s runners-up, Tshwane, with a score of 55-36, maintaining a 28-19 halftime lead.
“Derbies between Johannesburg and Tshwane are always special,” noted captain Monique Reyneke-Meyer. “Both sides are always determined to put on a good show and give their all. We don’t underestimate any team and we give each team the respect they deserve.”
Despite limited preparation time, Reyneke-Meyer expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and synergy. “We didn’t have much time before the tournament to work together, and there are some new players in the squad, but we have got to know each other as the tournament went on,” she added.
The Road Ahead
Meyer anticipates a challenging match against Cape Winelands on Friday. “Everyone wants to be in the final, and we don’t expect them just to give us the match,” she remarked, displaying a blend of humility and resolve as Johannesburg braces for the upcoming challenge.
Meanwhile, Mangaung’s journey to the semifinals featured a mix of triumph and tribulation. They drew against Johannesburg, faced defeat against Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, but rallied to defeat Tshwane 54-53 and Buffalo City 54-20. Dr Kenneth Kaunda also secured their semifinal spot with impressive victories, defeating Nelson Mandela Bay 69-36 and Cape Winelands 56-50.
The battle for the fourth semifinal spot saw Tshwane and Cape Winelands engaged in fierce competition. The latter clinched the spot with a superior goal average, a fact that delighted Wineland’s coach, Nicolene Martin.
“This is what we were aiming for,” she said. “I was pleased to go into our final match knowing the pressure was off. What has delighted me is the growth of the team over the week.”
“Our match against Johannesburg tomorrow is going to be a tough one, but I will tell the girls that if they support each other and defend for the full 60 minutes, they can do it,” added Martin, projecting a blend of optimism and realistic anticipation.
Catch the Semifinal Action
The semifinals promise thrilling showdowns, with Cape Winelands facing Johannesburg at 10h45 and Mangaung taking on Dr Kenneth Kaunda at noon on Friday. Fans can purchase tickets at the venue (R20 for adults, R10 for children) or watch the live action on SuperSport Variety 4/Channel 209 from October 2nd to 7th.
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