Vipers lift Greater Giyani Netball Trophy for fourth time

The team secured the victory and took home a cash prize of R16 600 and a sports kit after defeating Mapuve Sunshine 23-14 at the Giyani Tennis Court on Saturday during the Mayor’s Cup netball finals. However, the coach, Tryphina Mabunda, well-known as MamaTry, was not entirely thrilled with the team’s performance, despite winning the match. “They were a bit shaky, and as a result, they lost many balls. The shooters received balls but failed to score,” she said.

“If they had played the way they did last week, we would have won by a larger margin,” she continued, acknowledging their opponent’s outstanding performance, and urging them to prepare better next time. “We have been winning this cup for many years, we need a challenge, a team that will knock us out of the tournament,” she said. Meanwhile, if they won the tournament, Mapuve Sunshine, whose ward councillor and coach had promised his players a trip to Kruger National Park, Erick Makondo did not take the loss lightly.

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Players cried hysterically when they realised they had lost the match, prompting their ward councillor to step in and calm them down. “Don’t worry about the loss; you are technically champions. You weren’t playing against your age group, but despite it, you demonstrated an excellent performance,” he reassured them, adding that he would still take them to the KNP. “There’s nothing that can stop me from taking you to the KNP after that performance,” he said.

The competition rules for netball required that each team be composed of at least four players under the age of 21 and up to three players above that age if necessary. Mapuve’s team played were between 13 and 17, while the Giyani Vipers had three adult players who were over 21 years old, some of whom were experienced professional netball players.

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Despite the odds against them, they put up an impressive performance, scoring the first few goals and sending shivers down the spines of the defending champions. However, as the element of surprise wore off, the Vipers regained control of the situation and started fighting back fiercely. Although Mapuve Sunshine stood strong against their more senior opponents, they were no match for the defending champions. In the end, the Vipers emerged victorious, claiming the top prize. Nevertheless, Mapuve Sunshine went home with a cash prize of R12 600 and a netball kit.