Dr Elsie praises Golden Fireballs defenders after perfect run continues in Telkom Netball League
Telkom Netball League Division 1 leaders the Golden Fireballs kept up their prefect start to the competition when Power Week 3 tipped off at the Durban ICC on Monday.
The Gauteng team coached by Dr Elsje Jordaan, assisted by Proteas legend Bongi Msomi, thumped the Eastern Cape Aloes 64-40.
The teams were neck and neck early in the first quarter as they traded goals with the score tied at 13-all.
But the Fireballs pulled away in the second quarter and led 28-22 at half-time.
Sharp shooter
Star goal shooter Owethu "Sammy" Ngubane was at the heart of all that was good about the Gauteng team's play, with a number of intercepts in midcourt disrupting the Aloes' play.
She was also clinical with her shooting in the goal circle with goal shooter Nomfundo Mngomezulu struggling to find her rhythm. She would later leave the court after picking up an injury.
It was no surprise that Ngubane was later named Player of the Match.
Seven unanswered points at the beginning of the third quarter by the Fireballs seemed to suck the life out of the visibly tiring Aloes. The match seemed over as a contest with a full quarter to go and the score 52-34.
The fireballs rang the changes in the final quarter as they cruised to the 64-40 win in their opening match of the third round.
"We're quite happy with the result. Our first pool game wasn't that great. I didn't think we were as clinical in attack as we should have been, and we should have made sure to convert more of our turnover ball," coach Jordaan told Independent Media after the match. "I thought there was really a great defensive effort by our defenders."
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Next Stay Close ✕ Shooting star The goal attack was a colossus, stepping up in the tense moments of Power Week 3 when her team needed her, driving them forward with key intercepts, feeds, link-up plays and goals … plenty of them. She was lethal with her shooting in the attacking circle, often hauling her team back in contests when they seemed to have hit a brick wall. It was no surprise when Ngubane was named best shooter of TNL 2025. 'Coach Elsje and coach Bongi played a huge role in my improvement for this year, playing a huge role by helping me adjust some of my skills on the court,' Sammy said. 'It wasn't good start to the year for me and coming into TNL my mindset changed and I wanted something that could boost my confidence. 'I think one the things that I have been working on myself is my shooting and I can see the improvement. From this TNL tournament, I can say I'm truly confident and ready for anything that comes my way.' 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