Vipers, Police LUCARA netball league champions
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday November 14, 2022 16:00
Vipers won the title after defeating BDF Cats 39-31 in an electrifying encounter. The Jungle Queens claimed the championship by beating their cross-town rivals, BDF Cats 40-37 in a match that went down to the wire.
The national finals were played at the Otse Police College on Saturday. The champions walked away with P10,000, trophies and gold medals. Vipers qualified for the final by beating Police men 48-40 while BDF walloped TAFIC 35-24.
The men’s final match was a mouthwatering affair from the first quarter. Cats were the first at goal with no luck only for Vipers goal attacker, Larona Matlhaga to draw first blood in the third minute.
The match started being physical with Cats pushing for a goal until they were rewarded with a goal through goal shooter, Keolopile in the seventh minute. Vipers’ goal shooter, Boniface Moeng was unlucky a few minutes later as his attempt flew over the target. That did not dampen his spirit as he launched himself to catch the ball mid air and scored giving Vipers a lead.
That was the beginning of dominance for Vipers as they extended the lead to 7-4. Vipers’ goalkeeper, Henry Moalosi had a good day in office, closing off Cats threats with his long arms. Spectators broke into song and dance as Moeng and Matlhaga caused havoc in Cats defense winning the first quarter 12-6. Moeng continued where he left off starting the second quarter by extending Vipers lead.
Cats goal attacker, Kebonyemang launched an attack on Vipers closing the scoreline 13-7 only for Moeng to revenge with a goal for Vipers as the side went on to claim the quarter 21-13. After the half time recess, pressure was now on Cats as they tried to come back from behind by making some substitutions especially the goal keeper to try and contain Moeng.
That was not enough as Vipers went on to win the quarter 34-22 and closing off the match with a victory of 39-31. Police men claimed the bronze medal by defeating TAFIC 57-18. The women’s final saw The Jungle Queens claiming first set quarter with a close margin of 9-10. By half time the side was still showing intent of running away going for break with a 20-22 lead.
Cats were trailing 30-35 by end of third quarter and the police side proved their mettle walking away as the league champions with a 37-40 scoreline. Meanwhile, the women’s bronze medal match brought together TASC and Notwane. It was clear that TASC stepped into the court with revenge in mind after suffering a loss at the hands of The Jungle Queens. TASC claimed the bronze medal by beating Notwane 52-49. Speaking to Sport Monitor, Vipers coach Boipelo Makwatse said there is nothing exciting like preparing for something and winning it. “We prepared a lot for this championship especially that not all our players stay in Gaborone. This week they made sure that they are together and they deserve this. I introduced Moalosi and nobody has ever seen him defending. They normally see him shooting wide and his agility worked for us,” Makwatse said. She said they knew that Cats play a rough game and instructions to Moeng (GS) was for him to be firm, shield and receive.
Makwatse said in the last quarter, her players were fatigued and it was not possible to introduce fresh legs. Cats coach, Phinda Ntwayagae said she was impressed by the performance of her players and they were ready for any outcome. “The majority of them are students and they are busy with examinations. That is not an excuse because these are national team players and as a national team player you should utilise any opportunity to train. We lost the match in the second quarter on our wing attack,” she said. Meanwhile, Notwane coach, Sthulile Mlotshwa said they had a slow start from the first quarter, then they switched shooters and defenders so that they contained TASC attack. “TASC are short shooters and I had a taller goalkeepers and she was not able to deal with them. Changing the goalkeeper was to go and block the short shooters.
It worked but in the third quarter we had mind Relapse again. On transition we were throwing away the balls. In the fourth quarter we cancelled everything. I told the girls that we needed three balls to subtract the 10 balls. It worked but mind set relapsed again. We are weak on defense but strong on attack. We ended up shooting with the goal attack because of her experience,” she said.
For her part Banda said they beat Notwane by good passes of short balls. They were united as a team with strong mental strength. “I am not happy that we did not qualify for the final but next season we will make it happen. The skill I have is natural talent. It just happens on its own. Being switched to defense was not a challenge because I am comfortable on attack and defense.