The Tuks netball team came close to playing the perfect game last night in Bloemfontein when thrashed Kovsies in their first Varsity-encounter winning 63-42.
The defending champions started off well scoring the first goal and for the next, four or so minutes managed to cling to a one-goal lead, but then the proverbial dam wall burst, and there was no stopping Tuks. In a ten minute blitzkrieg, which included the Tuks powerplay, the visitors laid the foundation to their victory.
At the end of the first quarter, Tuks was leading 22-12. By halftime, they stretched their lead to 14 goals, and after the third quarter, they led by 24 goals. Kovsies managed to claw back two goals in the last 15 minutes, but by then Jenny van Dyk (Tuks head coach) started to make changes giving the younger players some game time.
Key to Tuks's domination was the communication between the players or to be more precise how the various combinations teamed up to disrupt Kovsies in every facet of the game.
Jasmine Ziegelmeier and Akosua Mensah managed through their tactical brilliance to totally undermine the confidence of the home team's goal shooters. There was never any guarantee of Kovsies scoring when they got the ball into the circle. It took only one mistake or a moment's hesitation for Mensah to intercept the ball while Ziegelmeier had a physical presence in the circle at all times.
Tshina Mdau (captain) and Marlize de Bruin (vice-captain) were as impressive. Through their pro-active play, they managed to ensure a continuous flow of the ball to the respective goal scorers Venetia Grobler and Chantelle Swart. Both were unsung hardly missing.
Mdau's work rate throughout the game was unbelievable. There was rarely a moment when she was not in the thick of things at times, even putting her body on the line at times for the team. That led to her justifiably receiving the player of the match award.
The way Grobler and Swart operated in the circle, not worrying about who got to score the goals also deserves to be mentioned. Their only focus was on making sure that Tuks's score kept on ticking over continuously for 60 minutes. It certainly contributed to the visitor's dominance.
On Monday Tuks is playing Madibaz in Stellenbosch.
Awards
FNB Player of the Match: Tshina Mdau (Tuks)
Wimpy Moment Maker: Venetia Grobler (Tuks)
MTN Interceptor of the Match: Akosua Mensah (Tuks)
Teams
Kovsies: 7 Khanyisa Chawane (vice-captain), 2 Bianca de Wee, 12 Oageng Khasake, 5 Sikholiwe Mdletshe, 15 Ancia Pienaar, 4 Lefébre Rademan (captain), 8 Meagan Roux, 3 Jana Scholtz, 9 Zandré Smit, 1 Rieze Straeuli, 14 Rolene Streutker, 13 Chanel Vrey.
Coach: Burta de Kock
Tuks: 5 Marlize de Bruin (vice-captain), 16 Anique Grobler, 1 Venetia Grobler, 10 Precious Maseko, 8 Akosua Mensah, 7 Lungile Mthembu, 9 Tracey Mthunzi, 2 Tshina Mdau (captain), 4 Chantelle Swart, 14 Jamie van Wyk, 6 Danielle van Zyl, 11 Jasmine Ziegelmeier.
Coach: Jenny van Dyk
Virtual Campus
Get Social With Us
Download the UP Mobile App