The Free State Crinums have sent a strong warning to their competitors in the Telkom Netball League (TNL) by defeating the defending champions, the Gauteng Golden Fireballs, 47-37 at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The Crinums, who are now unbeaten in the league, dominated the match from the start, with their defence laying the foundation for their victory. Veteran player Karla Pretorius led from the front, helping her team to a commanding 27-17 half-time lead.
Fireballs Respond but Crinums Maintain Control
The Fireballs responded strongly after the break, reducing the deficit to 29-23 early in the third quarter. However, the Crinums restored control and took a 38-25 advantage into the final period. They maintained their composure in the closing stages to secure a deserved 10-point victory, dominating both circle feeds and goal attempts.
Coach Mosoahle-Samm Praises Team’s Performance
Crinums head coach Martha Mosoahle-Samm was pleased with her team’s performance, particularly in the third quarter. ‘I was particularly happy with the third quarter because we’ve been struggling a little bit in that one, so the girls did well,’ she said in a post-match television interview. ‘I think that’s where we started pulling it through and going into double digits, so I’m quite happy with the performance today.’
The Crinums’ victory has set them up for a strong run in the play-offs, and they will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record. As explained on the Telkom website, the TNL is one of the premier netball competitions in South Africa, and the Crinums will be looking to make a strong impact.
Meanwhile, the Southern Stings completed a season double over the Gauteng Jaguars, with their 56-45 victory securing third place in the final round-robin standings ahead of the semi-finals. The Stings’ victory has set up an interesting semi-final match, and netball fans will be eagerly awaiting the outcome.
- The Free State Crinums are unbeaten in the Telkom Netball League.
- The Crinums defeated the Gauteng Golden Fireballs 47-37.
- The Southern Stings completed a season double over the Gauteng Jaguars.
