Three in a row for Crinums
Crinums wins much coveted Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League.
The Free State Crinums made it three in a row when they beat the Gauteng Jaguars, 52-43 in the final of the Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League at the Olive Centre on Saturday May 28.
It was the third time the two teams had met in the final, and once again, the Crinums displayed their big-match temperament. Unlike the finals in 2014 and 2015, there was no need for extra time, as the Crinums dominated throughout the match.
Although the teams exchanged goal for goal in the early stages of the match, seven unanswered goals for the Crinums in the middle of the first quarter set the Free State team on the path to victory, with the Jaguars unable to make up the difference.
The Crinums shooters, Gertriana Retief and Proteas and Crinums captain Maryka Holtzhausen kept their composure and shot at goal from all areas in the circle. The Jaguars goalshooter, Lenize Potgieter, recently returned from playing for Bath in the English Super League, seemed strangely diffident, and a number of balls were lost as she tried to get into a better position by passing the ball in the circle. Her Bath and Protea teammate, Crinums goal defence Karla Mostert, proved once again that she is the best defender in South Africa, as she turned over balls time and time again.
By half-time, the Crinums had a 29-21 lead, which they extended to 42-30 at the end of the third quarter.
To their credit, the Jaguars fought to the end and, in fact, won the final quarter by 13 goals to 10. Potgieter appeared to have regained her mojo and sank goal after goal, but it was too late, and the jubilant Crinums hoisted the trophy for the third time.
Earlier, the Southern Stings beat the North West Flames 56-35 to secure third place, while the Kingdom Stars beat the Golden Fireballs 40-39 in a nail-biting fifth place play-off.
Credit: BFPNL
