If there is one thing, the Jaguars netball team does not lack it are pure guts. They proved this morning in Bloemfontein when they played to a 35-all draw against the Stings during the Telkom League. 

A few would have bargained on that being the final result. For nearly 44 of the 48 minutes, the Jaguars were with its back against the wall. With about seven minutes to play the Stings still had a four-goal lead. It looked a mere formality that they are going to be the team to end the Jaguars winning streak. 

Then again the "Fat Lady" had not yet sung. The Jaguars was not going to give up with the fight. As the clock was relentlessly ticking down the minutes, the score kept on changing . . .  33-35 . . . 34-35. With 60 seconds remaining the scores were level. 

The Stings attacked. Got the ball into the circle, but then Akosua Mensah executed possibly one of the most vital intercepts of her career. She got the ball away quickly to set up what could have been a match-winning situation. The Jaguars could not capitalise on it. They made a handling error in the dying seconds. 

It could be argued that the Jaguars players made far too many mistakes at vital moments. But in a tournament like this where is nearly no time to recover this is bound to happen. This morning was the team's second game in 18 hours. That was why the players were sluggish at the start of the game. The Stings did not play yesterday.

So kudos to the players and the Tuks head coach, Jenny van Dyk, who coaches the Jaguars. As a forever perfectionist, Van Dyk continuously sets new goals for herself and the players. In an earlier interview she explained that she realises that no team can keep on winning forever. 

"The odd loss now and again is not bad as it serves as a reality check to us not to ever become complacent. Still, I want the teams I coach to win more games than they would lose.

"With every tournament, our only goal is to qualify to contest at the least the semi-final, but in reality, we want to be in the final. The more players get to play finals, the more they learn how to handle the pressure. I believe success is no accident. It is all about hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning."

The Stings goal attack, Nichole Taljaard, got the player of the match award while the Jaguars Jamie van Wyk was the moment maker. 

The Jaguars has well-deserved break tomorrow. On Monday at 15:00, they play against the Crinums.