Cats claw Jungle Queens

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Monday July 22, 2013 00:00

 

Queens, who went into the game as log leaders, fielded three of their new signings in the starting line-up. Former Prisons duo of Natasha Maribe and Goitsemodimo Jikinya and ex-Notwane workhorse Amogelang Ngwako all started the game.

Despite their illustrious new-look line-up, Cats started off strongly in a fast first quarter.While Queens made swift forays going upfront, they struggled to convert their chances into goals.At the other end of the court, Tebogo Radipotsane effortlessly converted each time she got into a scoring position.BDF, whose national team star player Hilda Binang was instrumental, put their experience to good use. They led 17-3 at the end of the first quarter.

Their opponents, who depended on pace going forward, looked dog-tired at the end of the quarter. Cats continued making progressive forays upfront with Radipotsane consistently scoring most of their goals.Again, Cats were first to score in the second quarter with Queens' continued to biggest letdown being fluffing their chances upfront.

The tempo of the game was slightly slower than that of the opening quarter.Maribe stepped up her performance for Queens, scoring a few goals for the police outfit. But that was not enough as they went to the break trailing 26-9.Queens coach Delroy Nkomazana made tactical changes going in the third quarter after pulling out captain Lilian Rankgwe and introducing Patricia Ollyn. The talented Ollyn's first touch on the ball ended up in a goal.

Thereafter, she scored six successive goals.Queens were on top of their game in the third quarter, running rings around their opponents. Although Cats played second fiddle in this quarter, they infrequently scored to stay comfortably in the lead. They led 36-21 as the third quarter came to a close.

In a post-match interview, Nkomazana said he had hoped the third quarter momentum would continue to the end.'I had hoped they would continue the way they did in the third quarter right to the end but it did not work out.But I still maintain we will get things right as the season progresses,' Nkomazana said.

After a sensational third quarter, Queens slid back into their shell in the final quarter, allowing their opponents to wrap up their third win of the season.Queens went on to suffer their second loss of the season at the hands of UB Crystals. They narrowly lost 42-45 as Crystals welcomed former national team goal shooter, Botlhale Moeng, who missed the entire past season. 

Notwane picked the biggest win of the day after beating newcomers Jwaneng Netball 90-15. In other matches,Prisons beat Mochudi Centre Chiefs 77-9. Chiefs also succumbed to a 53-28 loss at the hands of Flying Doves. And then Doves went down 30-38 to Flying Hawks.