#TuksNetball: Jaguars notches up 3rd consecutive victory in the Telkom Netball League

Posted on October 16, 2020

The Jaguars is the only unbeaten team in the Telkom Netball League after they managed to beat the Fireballs 40-27 this afternoon in Bloemfontein.

It was a game of contrasts. After the first quarter's play, the score was tied at 8-all. During the next 12 minutes, the Fireballs dominated scoring ten goals to the Jaguars six goals. But that was as good as it was going to get for the Johannesburg based team.  

Tuks's head coach, Jenny van Dyk, who also coaches the Jaguars must have said some harsh word during the halftime break because it was a changed team that took to the court for last two quarters.

The Jaguars did what a true Jaguar should do and went for the "kill". In the next 24 minutes, the Pretoria based team scored 26 goals and conceded only nine.  

The winning team's captain, Izette Griesel, did as she had promised and led by example. Playing at centre and wing-attack, she assured that there is a continuous flow of balls to the circle.  The Jaguars goal shooters made sure her heroics did not go unrewarded. She was also good at intercepting the ball. Not surprisingly she got the player of the match award.

One of the game's highlights was the battle between two Tuks players both playing at wing defence - Lungile Mthembu (Jaguars) and Tshina Mdau (Fireballs). They were brilliant. 

There can be no arguing that Mdau is blessed as having that X-factor.  As a wing attack, she can change the direction of any game in the blink of an eye. She is possible also one of the best interceptors there are in the game. It led to her receiving the Moment of the Match-award. 

The "invisible player" is how Mthembu views herself. 

"Wing defence is sorts of a behind the scenes player. It is never about being flamboyant. My role is to do the dirty work. To 'eliminate' the wing attack usually by whatever means possible. If my play leads to vital intercepts, I consider it as a job well done," Mthembu said in a previous interview. 

The Jaguars goal shooters, Venetia Grobler and Chantelle Swart deserved credit for the accuracy in the circle, especially in the last two quarters.

Tomorrow morning at 09:00 the Jaguars are up against the Stings.

 

- Author Wilhelm de Swardt

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