Top teams cruise into final of Netball Championships

12 August 2011 - 19:34 By Jenny Bernstein, Sapa
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Chrisna Bootha from Gauteng North in action against Griqualand West in their game during day 2 of the Spar National Netball Championship at Bellville Velodrome on August 09, 2011 in Cape Town
Chrisna Bootha from Gauteng North in action against Griqualand West in their game during day 2 of the Spar National Netball Championship at Bellville Velodrome on August 09, 2011 in Cape Town
Image: Reg Caldecott

In a repeat of last year’s final, Gauteng North will do battle with Free State Motheo for the gold medal at the Spar National Netball Championships after both sides secured victories in their semi-finals in Bellville on Friday.

Gauteng North defeated Ekurhuleni in the first semi-final although the score of 55-29 did not tell the whole story.

  Ekurhuleni started well but made too many basic mistakes, turning over the ball but failing to capitalise on their possession.

  Gauteng North, slow starters in most of their matches, held a slim 14-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.

  However, they went into the last quarter with a healthy 27 goal advantage, at 46-19, and were able to make wholesale changes to their team.

  The last quarter turned into a scrappy affair and Ekurhuleni outscored their opponents by 10 goals to nine but it was too little too late as the Pretoria side already held an unassailable lead.

  Wing attack Vasta Mhlongo, who was outstanding for Gauteng North, said the defending champions were delighted with their progress.

  “We’ve played very well and built confidence from day one — confidence in ourselves and confidence in each other. We just love being here,” Mhlongo said.

  They were looking forward to the final against Motheo, Mhlongo said, although they were expecting a hard game.

  “We’re expecting sparks. It’s not going to be easy,” she said.

  “Whether you’re on the bench or on the court, it’s going to be tough for all of us.

  “All 12 of us have had a chance to prove ourselves here, so we’re all ready.”

   Protea goal shooter Chrisna Bootha, who averaged an 80 percent scoring success in the tournament, would be unavailable for the final as she had a prior commitment.

  Gauteng North, however, had a ready replacement in 1.9m tall Vanes-Mari du Toit.

  Playing as goalkeeper for most of the tournament, Du Toit had switched to shooter for the last quarter of the games in preparation for the final.

  She had made the same switch in some of the Proteas’ matches at last month’s World Netball Championships in Singapore.

  Looking ahead to the final against Free State, Du Toit said she believed anything was possible.

  “We’ll bring our A game and they’ll be bringing their A game so we’ll see what happens after 60 minutes,” Du Toit said.

  “I have big shoes to fill if I’m shooting, but I’m looking forward to it.”  Free State Motheo defeated Nelson Mandela Bay 47-35 in the other semi-final, and go into the final having played one more match than their opponents due to the no-show of Gauteng Central.

  Their results in the early stages, however, were less consistent.

  In the absence of their four most experienced players — Proteas Claudia Basson, Maryka Holtzhausen and Carine Terblanche, as well as Selma Parkin — Motheo had experimented with younger players.

  Cleo Kgoputso, 21, said she was proud of the team but they were all nervous ahead of the final.

  “We struggled to find our rhythm today, but a win is a win,” said the Free State wing attack.

  “I’m one of the youngest in the side so I’m very nervous.

  “It’s been years since we won a senior title so we’re all a bit tense, but I think we’re going to give them (Gauteng North) a good go tomorrow.”

  In a playoff for fifth and sixth positions, Boland narrowly pipped their neighbours Western Province 46-43 after the game was forced into extra time. It finished 37-all in regulation time.

  Gauteng West finished in seventh position, beating Griqualand West 38-30.

  The final between Gauteng North and Free State Motheo will be played on Saturday.

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