Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa: The SPAR Proteas recorded their third successive win over the Ugandan She-Cranes in the SPAR Challenge Tri-Nations netball tournament at the Cape Town International Conference Centre on Sunday. They beat them 43-36, after leading 20-18 at halftime.
The She-Cranes, who beat Namibia 59-30 earlier in the day, started well and were just two goals behind after the first quarter, before sharing the second quarter 9-all. It was a hard fought game, with defenders on both teams succeeding in turning the ball and preventing the shooters from scoring. Her superb performance at goal defence earned Monique Reyneke her second most valued player award.
SPAR Proteas captain Bongi Msomi (wing attack) and centre Izette Griesel controlled the centre court well, ensuring the ball moved to the circle as quickly as possible. The pace was fast and furious, with both sides guilty of some wild passes.
The SPAR Proteas began to exert their authority in the third quarter and gradually pulled away from the She-Cranes. They outscored them 13-9 in the third quarter, but Uganda came back in the final quarter, which they lost 10-9.
“We knew Uganda would come in hard against us, because this was a very important game,” said SPAR Proteas coach Dorette Badenhorst.
“They put a lot of pressure on us – especially the young players in the circles. But the more established players gave the newer players the backing they needed, and I am very pleased with the way the team is working together.”
Ugandan captain Stella Oyella said the She-Cranes had put up a good fight and were learning every time they played against South Africa.
“We are very much a team – our motto is ‘we are the She-Cranes, we are one,” said Oyella.
In the curtain raiser match, the SPAR Baby Proteas scored their first win over the President’s XII, beating them 48-41, after trailing 25-22 at halftime.
They play them again on Monday at 4pm, as a curtain raiser to the match between the SPAR Proteas and Namibia at 6pm.
There will be no spectators at the matches, which will be televised live on Supersport Variety 4.
SCORE BREAKDOWN – SPAR Baby Proteas vs President’s XII
Q1: SPAR Baby Proteas 9 – 14 President’s XII
HT: SPAR Baby Proteas 22 – 25 President’s XII
Q3: SPAR Baby Proteas 34 – 33 President’s XII
FT: SPAR Baby Proteas 48 – 41 President’s XII
SCORE BREAKDOWN – South Africa vs Uganda
Q1: South Africa 12 – 10 Uganda
HT: South Africa 20 – 18 Uganda
Q3: South Africa 33 – 27 Uganda
FT: South Africa 43 – 36 Uganda
SHOOTING STATS – South Africa
Sian Moore: 27/30 (90%)
Renske Stoltz: 16/21 (76.1%)
SHOOTING STATS – Uganda
Shadiah Nassanga: 20/24 (83%)
Irene Eyaru: 16/16 (100%)
MATCH SHOOTING STATS
South Africa: 43/51 (84.3%)
Uganda: 36/40 (90%)
MOST-VALUED PLAYER
Monique Reyneke
Ends.