Maties Netball will play their second consecutive FNB Varsity Netball final after emerging victorious in a recent semi-final encounter against University of Johannesburg (UJ) Netball.
Maties had to stage a comeback victory, after UJ drew first blood in the semi-final to lead 18-16 at halftime.
The Maroon Machine outscored their Orange Army opponents 43-35 at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on 10 October.
The semi-final Varsity Netball clash saw Maties Netball take on University of Johannesburg (UJ) Netball, with the Maroon Machine reigning supreme. Despite the loss, there are numerous positives to UJ’s Varsity Netball campaign, said Bongi Msomi, head coach of UJ Netball. “This is their [UJ Netball’s] first time in a semi-final. To play like this – I thought credit to them,” she stated. PHOTO: Takudzwa Pongweni
Evenly matched
The teams were evenly matched in the opening half, with 19 goal attempts for Maties and 22 for their opponents.
“The first half of the game was evenly contested,” said Sian Moore, captain of the Maties Netball team. “We started off a little bit behind, but the girls really showed character and pulled it through at the end, and that made me really proud.”
“Everyone was hungry for the win, so everyone put their bodies on the line,” said Cornelia Mupenda, vice-captain of UJ Netball team. “The first half went well for the UJ team as they were composed,” she added.
Maties Netball had to stage a comeback victory as they trailed University of Johannesburg Netball by two points at halftime. “I am really proud of the way the girls could get it together when it mattered the most. It is so important for them to play with their heart and, today, I think they really brought their ‘A’ heart,” said Zanele Mdodana, head coach of Maties Netball. Here, Mdodana motivates her team during a break. PHOTO: Takudzwa Pongweni
Bouncing back
The third quarter of the match saw frequent momentum swings as Nomfundo Mngomezulu kept the goals coming for UJ. However, the defensive Maties duo, Syntiche Kabuya and Nicola Smith, managed to thwart numerous goal attempts and keep Maties in contention. The quarter ended in a stalemate at 25-25.
It was not until late in the fourth quarter that the Maroon Machine truly started firing, thanks to the attacking duo, Sian Moore and Nicole Taljaard. Maties took advantage of the powerplay to edge ahead and double their advantage over UJ with three field goals and six points on the board. The score for each field goal is doubled during the powerplay.
“We did not lead in the beginning, but we kept our cool and actually won at the end by quite a margin,” said Danielle van Nieuwenhuizen of Maties Netball, who was named the FNB player of the match.
Maties Netball emerged victorious in a closely contested Varsity Netball semi-final against University of Johannesburg Netball. “I am actually more thankful for my team that they support me, and I could not have done it without them,” said Matie Danielle van Nieuwenhuizen, who was awarded the FNB player of the match award. Pictured above with Van Nieuwenhuizen is Ilhaam Groenewald, head of Maties Sport. PHOTO: Takudzwa Pongweni
Final countdown
It is back to the drawing board for UJ Netball, said Bongi Msomi, head coach of UJ Netball.
“We are obviously going to go back and work – starting working towards next year and take it one step at a time,” she said.
Maties Netball reached their second consecutive Varsity Netball final after a closely contested semi-final against University of Johannesburg (UJ) Netball. “I thought it was the standard of a semi-final; Bongi Msomi [head coach of UJ] and her troops were really sensational tonight,” said Zanele Mdodana, head coach of Maties Netball.
Meanwhile, Maties will attempt to win their first-ever Varsity Netball title on 17 October, when they will play against NWU Netball at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
“We have played them before. We know more or less what they have and what they can do,” said Zanele Mdodana, head coach of Maties Netball. “But we can’t take any team for granted, and we definitely won’t approach it with a complacent approach. We will be very clinical in our plan and execution, and make sure we start well.”
The match will be streamed on Supersport.