It was mission accomplished for the EP Aloes after overpowering the Limpopo Baobabs 60-23 in their final playoff game to secure seventh spot in the Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League at Durban’s Olive Convention Centre on Sunday, May 22.
Still struggling without their star shooter, Rahab Ngobeni, who missed this weekend’s matches, the Baobabs were simply outplayed by a strong Aloes side intent on winning by as big a margin as possible. That they did, with a massive cheer from the team bench when the 60th goal sailed through the net just seconds before the final whistle.
Not only were the shooters on target but the defence did a phenomenal job of preventing the Baobabs from getting the ball into the circle. The Limpopo team could only manage to score three goals in the third quarter and four in the fourth and Aloes reserve goalkeeper, Zukelwa Cwaba, was eventually named the player of the match.
The other playoff game of the day was a much tighter one with the Mpumalanga Sunbirds emerging as 42-37 winners over the Northern Cape Diamonds to secure eighth spot.
While the Sunbirds notched up a four-goal lead in the first quarter, a sensational second quarter from the Diamonds saw them closing that gap and then taking the lead early in the third quarter. But the Sunbirds kept the pressure on and, with memories of their one-goal defeat to the same opposition earlier in the season still fresh, they pushed on to edge ahead and eventually take the win, and eighth place overall – the highest ever finish for the Mpumalanga team.
The Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League action will return to Durban for the semi-finals and final, taking place at the Olive Convention Centre on Friday, May 27, and Saturday, May 28.
The results are:
May 22
Limpopo Baobabs 23 Eastern Cape Aloes 60
Northern Cape Diamonds 37 Mpumalanga Sunbirds 42
Semi– finals fixtures
Friday, May 27:
18:00 – North West Flames vs Free State Crinums.
20:00 – Gauteng Jaguars vs Western Cape Southern Stings.
Saturday, May 28
Loser SF 1 vs loser SF 2.
Winner SF 1 vs winner SF 2
Credit: BFPNL
