Sunbirds hit back in second match

They could only manage one goal in the first 15 minutes, while the Stings slotted in 13. It wasn’t until the last nine minutes that the Mpumalanga team hit double figures.

With a shooting percentage of under 50 per cent compared with the Western Cape side shooting over 80 per cent, it was never going to be easy for the Sunbirds.

Coach Marlie Nel told Netball South Africa that it was a tough game. “We never thought it was going to be an easy match, but my players never stopped fighting until the end.”

Their match against the Baobabs turned out to be a thriller. The latter won the match in the first quarter, when they outscored the Sunbirds by 13 goals to eight. Thereafter, the Sunbirds won the second quarter 12-10, shared the third 12 all and won the fourth 12-11.

The final quarter had the small crowd on their feet as the Sunbirds first drew level and then ahead of the Baobabs. The lead changed hands several times and both coaches called for timeouts to discuss tactics.

“I loved how both teams wanted to get righthttps://www.citizen.co.za/lowvelder/427641/sunbirds-ready-blitz-court/ into the match from the start. The team were so down after last night (Friday), but I was proud of the way they fought.

“It was a very tough match. I brought on my tallest player, Walene Scholtz, as goal shooter in the final quarter, and she definitely made a difference,” said Nel. “I would have preferred a win, of course, but I am very happy with the way they played.”

Captain of the birds, Lentsa Motau said they need to pick up their heads and will have to prove that they are a competitive side. “It was a hectic weekend. We didn’t play well in our first game, but the Stings are one of the top teams in the competition. Saturday went much better. The team got together and played as a unit.”