Cats march on with rookies

Thato Kala | Tuesday October 8, 2013 00:36

The national champions won their three games on Saturday against Jungle Queens (61-30), Jwaneng (96-11) and Chiefs (64-17) to cement their position at the top of the log.

Against Chiefs, Cats' shrewd coach, Florah Kedibonye threw in new faces and benched chief goal scorer, Tebogo Radipotsane. The goal scoring responsibility fell to the nifty Hilda Binang and she never disappointed. She combined well with rookies, Kefilwe Kgwengwenyane (Goal Attack) and Gorata Seepo (Wing Attack). A much-improved Chiefs opened the scoring through Anita Ramodimo in the first quarter after a swift move seconds into the game.

They were back again barely a minute later to add another goal. But Binang drew the army side level as they started settling into the game with the experienced Beauty Letsholo playing a pivotal role. After drawing level, Cats were in total control as their opponents squandered the few chances they created. Chiefs made a few raids upfront but failed to thread the final pass.

As a result, they only scored seven goals in the opening quarter while the defending champions scored 25. Cats were more direct in their approach in the second quarter. Botswana international, Binang, continued scoring for them while Chiefs still failed to make that final pass.

The few goals the Mochudi side scored in the second quarter were not enough to keep Cats at bay as they went to the breather leading 46-13.

Kedibonye made several changes in the third quarter that saw Binang drop to Wing Attack while Kgwengwenyane was pushed to Goal Scorer.

Although jittery in the early stages of the quarter, Kgwengwenyane later settled into the new position and converted her chances.

Cats were not as competitive in the final quarter, but had done enough to win the game 64-17. Kedibonye said the narrow margins did not worry her as the idea was to widen her selection pool by playing youngsters. 'I want these young players to replace the older ones because a team without youth has no future. We use them in easy games so they can get confidence,' Kedibonye said. 

Other results: Flying Hawks 21-84 Jungle Queens; UB Crystals 90-13 Centre Chiefs.