JOHANNESBURG - The Limpopo Baobabs are yet to find that elusive victory in the Telkom Netball League following their third consecutive defeat after losing 36-31 to the Northern Cape Diamonds on Friday afternoon at the Mangaung Indoor Sports Complex.
The Baobabs, who were hungry for their first victory in the league campaign, struck the first shot of the match with the help of goal attack Modjadji Ramorwalo, who was announced player of the match.
The Limpopo side provided quick passes and balls that were reaching the shooters quicker than usual, denying the Diamonds a chance to take the ball to their side of the court. They won the first quarter with a 10-4 score.
The enthusiastic Diamonds introduced new faces and that included centre Dane Klopper, which helped them with dominating and winning 8-10 in the second stanza of the match. The number of balls thrown in the circle were however not enough for the Northern Cape side to take the lead.
The Diamonds dominated the Limpopo side and gave them a hard time, denying them a few goals but towards the end of the third quarter the Baobabs took control again and continued to lead with a 26-24 score.
🏅 ACCOLADES#TNLBaobabsDiamonds
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) October 16, 2020
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Modjadji Ramorwalo (GA) Baobabs
TWIZZA MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Sinazo Njokweni (GK) Diamonds
#TelkomNL #TNLisBack #TasteTheMoment | @Twizza_ZA @TelkomZA pic.twitter.com/xirvsRpaPZ
The Limpopo side had the opportunity to bounce back in the final quarter but did not utilise the chances efficiently to dominate the Diamonds.
The Northern Cape side had their shooting boots on as they knocked hard and steered a fair 5 goal difference at the end, registering their first victory in the league.
Baobabs starting 7:
GS Zené de Waal
GA Modjadji Ramorwalo
WA Shongile Hlungwana
C Mmasello Ledwaba
WD Michelle de Nysschen
GD Theoner Mthombeni
GK Nompumelelo Matekula
Diamonds starting 7:
GS Zandré Smit
GA Bianca Pienaar
WA Dané Klopper
C Clarissa Mpikwane
WD Stephanie Hanekom
GD Eureka Mentoor
GK Sinazo Njokweni
Xilombe Mathye