Tuesday night’s netball match ended with the Wits team’s second consecutive loss.
Jubilee was handed a crushing 29–37 defeat on their own turf by Monash South Africa’s MSA1 in the Wits Internal Netball League on Tuesday, July 30.
MSA1 set the tone for the match early on, netting three goals in the first quarter, leaving Jubilee little time to react.
Jubilee’s hopes of catching up to their rivals were dashed after their goal attack Leonard Shonhiwa’s attempted goal skirted the rim but failed to sink into the net.
A second goal attempt by Shonhiwa proved equally unsuccessful and it was not long before Jubilee was trailing MSA1 by five points, with the score at 10–5.
Jubilee only managed to score one more goal before the end of the first quarter, which MSA1 took 10–6.
The second quarter opened with another goal by MSA1, but Jubilee had amped up their defence. This energy was matched at the other end of the court by Jubilee goal shooter and coach, Amanda Sikhosana, who helped her team score seven goals in this quarter.
MSA1, however, closed the quarter with eight goals, beating Jubilee yet again.
The third quarter saw an uptick in aggression from Jubilee as the team grew desperate. The home team opened the quarter with two goals but at 2–1 to Jubilee, goalkeeper Masego Tlhame fell after twisting her ankle in a battle for the ball, causing play to stop.
Pressed for time, the referee called for play to resume, while Tlhame was carried to the sidelines by her opponents in a show of good sportsmanship. She was replaced with second substitute Phindile Hadebe.
MSA1 took the lead, winning the third quarter 10–8.
The visitors’ comfortable three quarters lead did not make them any less determined as they continued to dominate the court and won the last quarter 9–8. Coach and goal shooter, Fhulufelo Faith Ratshitanga, attributed her team’s win to their dedication.
“Our players were very committed tonight and that is why we won,” she said.
MSA1 goal attack Okwethu Zwane said that her team had a good chance of winning the league. “If we keep playing as a well-oiled unit, we might take it,” she said.
Wits Jubilee coach, Sikhosana, blamed her team’s loss on poor fitness. “We’re coming back from a very long holiday and exam season, so we’re not as fit as we should be. We need to work on our fitness and passes,” she said.
Jubilee lost their previous match 15-42 to fellow Wits team, Brainwashers, and will face Student Digs A on August 15.
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FEATURED IMAGE: The Jubilee netball team lost to Monash on Tuesday, July 31, at Wits University. Photo: Sanele Msiza
