from DION HENRICK in Cape Town
Western Cape Bureau
CAPE TOWN, (CAJ News) – CAPE TOWN finally erased the pain of last year’s one-goal defeat, edging Tshwane 56-55 in a nerve-shredding final to lift the SPAR National Netball Championships senior A title at Stellenberg High School on Tuesday.
The hosts produced a dramatic finish before a passionate home crowd, with former SPAR Proteas player Sigi Burger sinking the decisive goal with less than 20 seconds remaining.
The final was a contest of fine margins from the outset. Cape Town led 13-12 after the opening quarter, but Tshwane responded strongly to take a 27-26 advantage into half-time.
Tshwane’s defence continued to frustrate the hosts in the third quarter, before Cape Town finally levelled at 38-all and edged ahead 40-39 entering the final 15 minutes.
The tension intensified as the teams traded scores. With the contest locked at 55-55, Cape Town retained possession from the centre pass and held its nerve, allowing Burger to deliver the championship-winning goal.
“Obviously there’s a lot of pressure on your hands,” Burger said afterwards. “But the beauty of being slightly older and more mature is it’s about being able to handle those big moments.”
The triumph marked Cape Town’s first national title in 10 years and provided a fitting reward after last year’s agonising defeat.
Former SPAR Proteas defender Phumza Maweni, now an assistant coach, said the victory was particularly satisfying in front of the home supporters.
“It was good for us to win a final for our crowd. We’ve waited too long and I’m sure our community are very happy with this,” she said.
Coach Freda Kemp said last year’s disappointment had fuelled the campaign.
“We lost the finals by one [goal] last year and as they say, the table has been set for us – it’s hometown, home crowd,” she said.
Tshwane, despite the defeat, emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest success stories after failing to reach the semi-finals last year. They had topped the log unbeaten and eliminated four-time defending champions Johannesburg in the semi-finals.
Luca Keun was named Player of the Tournament, while Tshwane’s Ine-Mari Venter won Best Shooter. Cape Town’s Asemahle Dyidi was named Best Defender and Johannesburg’s Sanelisiwe Ntobela the top mid-court player.
Mangaung claimed senior bronze, defeating Johannesburg 45-44.
In the Under-21 A section, Johannesburg completed a dominant campaign by beating Tshwane 52-38, securing a third consecutive title under coach Bongi Msomi.
Johannesburg led 27-20 at half-time and pulled further away after the break. Boitumelo Mokoena was named Player of the Tournament, while Shilo Baradelli earned Best Shooter.
Mangaung took bronze after defeating Royal Bafokeng 49-40.
– CAJ News