By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@RegCaldecott.
Two-time defending champions Johannesburg comfortably won both of their two opening matches of the SPAR National Netball Championships, hosted by the City of Johannesburg, on Monday.
Their first encounter was against eThekwini, a side new to the A section after competing in the B division last year.
The KZN team battled to keep up with the defending champions who, despite some inaccurate shooting, managed to claim a 69-35 victory.
It was then on to a Jukskei Derby against Tshwane.
Some may have expected a closer match between the two, but the Johannesburg side raced to a 21-9 lead by the end of the first quarter and never looked back.
Tshwane did improve during the course of the match and even won the final quarter by one goal, but that first-quarter deficit was just too large to make up, with Johannesburg ultimately winning 63-42.
Johannesburg coach and former SPAR Proteas captain Dr Elsjé Jordaan said afterwards she was happier with her side’s second match of the day.
“I’m pretty pleased. I think we were better in the second game on rounding off – working so hard, punishing them and then getting the reward… The calmer the shooters are when they receive the ball, the more accurate they become.
“But it is challenging – it is quite hot out there and it’s physical so it’s about running legs and running players. As soon as you think a player is settling, you realise you need to make a change. Whoever is going to win this will be the team that manage their team the best,” said Jordaan.
“In terms of consistency, we’re still not where we want to be, but I think overall a good first day for us,” she added.
Tshwane coach Erin Burger explained that several players were unavailable for the side, but she believes the team will improve as the tournament progresses.
They claimed a 48-42 victory over the South African under-21 side, who are also competing in the A section, before their loss to Johannesburg.
“It’s a new team and I think they’ve got a lot to give. It’s just to get the combinations to settle and to settle in under pressure. I think as the tournament goes, we’ll get stronger as a team as they get to know each other under pressure on court,” said the coach.
Burger agreed with Jordaan’s sentiments regarding the heat.
“This is still the start, it’s a long week. The heat is going to play a big role. I think the changes you make as a coach, how the bench comes on court, is going to play such a big role later,” she said.
A Section Results:
Cape Town 57 – 45 Ekurhuleni
Cape Winelands 56 – 24 Nelson Mandela Bay
Johannesburg 69 – 35 eThekwini
Tshwane 48 – 42 SA U21
Mangaung 63 -27 Ekurhuleni
Dr Kenneth Kaunda 51 – 30 Nelson Mandela Bay
eThekwini 44 – 53 SA U21
Johannesburg 63 – 42 Tshwane
Mangaung 46 – 51 Cape Winelands
Dr Kenneth Kaunda 47 – 51 Cape Town.