The goal is simple for the North West Flames netball team this year, and that is to leave no stone unturned in their search for SA’s biggest netball prize.
The Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League (NPL) is in full swing once again with the first series of matches taking place in Durban from 21-30 April.
The Flames got their ambitions off to a great start with a commanding 73-20 win against the Northern Cape Diamonds in Durban. They followed that up with a 48-44 loss against the Gauteng Golden Fireballs in a tight match that could have gone either way. The ladies from the North West then saw off a spirited Eastern Cape Aloes side in a nail-biting encounter where it looked for all the money as if the Aloes would cause a huge upset with a win. The Flames, under the tutelage of the experienced coach, Dorette Badenhorst, pulled through with a magnificent fourth quarter comeback, however, to win 38-33.

Photos: Backpage Pics

The Aloes had the better of the Flames for most of the encounter as the North West side just could not get their rhythm going. Romé Dreyer (Flames) and Arné Rust (Aloes) were involved in an epic battle for position in the centre of the court and Rust was superior for most of the match. It was only when the Proteas player, Renske Stoltz found her groove in the final 15 minutes that the match began to swing in the Flames’ favour. The Aloes goal attack, Bavuyize Matyumsa was a thorn in the flesh for the Flames as she kept the scoreboard ticking with precise shots. She deservedly walked away with the player of the match award, even though her side could not get the win.
This match clearly showed that it is not about how you start but how you finish the match. The Flames are now in fourth place on the log with four points from three matches. The Jaguars currently top the table with six points. The next leg of the NPL takes place in Cape Town from 5-21 May.

North West Flames squad: Marike Maree (GS, GA), Anja Esterhuizen (GS, GA), Melandi Pretorius (GA, GS), Renske Stoltz (GA, WA), Kgomotso Itlhabanyeng (WA, C), Mandolene Hermanus (C, WA), Romé Dreyer (C, WA), Nicole Amiras (C, WA), Chanté Bester (WD, GD), Fikile Mkhuzangwe (GD, WD), Monique Reyneke (GD, WD), Kifiloe Tsotetsi (GK, GS), Maronél Scherman (GK, GD), Zandré Kruger (GK, GD) and Simoné Rabie (GK, GD).