By: Mbasa Khwaza

KwaMashu Netball team scooped the Silver Stars Netball tournament after beating Netdivas 26 to 21 goals on Thursday at the Fred Crooks Sports Centre.

Both sides started like a house on fire battling for the cash prize of R1000, a full netball kit, two balls, medals and a trophy. Six teams were knocked out which saw the best two sides of the day in the finals.

Both of their attackers, Ndalamo Grace Takuma of Netdivas and Mbali Phili of the KwaMashu Netball Team did not miss any chances that they created.

The KwaMashu side was playing with six players who fought for their life on the court against seven players.

The third quarter ended with the KwaMashu side leading by 20 goals and the Netdivas were trailing behind with 14 goals but Netdivas came back hard in the last quarter as they had more ball possession.

The trailing side was crippling KwaMashu team, taking the advantage of the leader which had no Wing Attacker (WA).  The centre had to move around the field with the help of the outstanding goal attacker Phili.

Manager of the KwaMashu team, Yolanda Mkhize was very happy with the results. “It took a lot of training and commitment to win this game and we will continue training,” she said. “A netball team can never have a lot of kits.”

The organisers were happy with the outcomes of the tournament and thankful to their sponsors.

“The tournament was successful and everything went according to the plan”, said Thozama Ngwenya, one of the organisers.

Mbali Phili of KwaMashu Netball team scores against goal keeper Sifisokuhle. Picture by Nhlahla Ndlovu

She then thanked their sponsors: KZN Sports and Recreation, eThekwini Municipality and eThekwini Netball Federation, Tromso, Boxer Store, Durban University of Technology (DUT), DUT Student Representative Council (SRC), Red bull, Aquelle and Amanzi Purified Water.

Outstanding players were also awarded at the end of the day. Sifisokuhle Mnguni of the Netdivas team won the best goal keeper, Phili walked away with the best shooter award and Kutamo grabbed an outstanding player award.