The North West Flames has started the 2023 Telkom Netball League in the worst way possible with four losses on the trot.

The Flames lacked potency in attack due to numerous injuries and this cost them in their matches as they went down by more than 15 points in every encounter in Polokwane this past week from 27 April – 1 May.

The Flames lost their opener by 51-33 against the Southern Stings. They then stumbled against the defending champions, the Golden Fireballs by 56-32.
It did not get better as losses to the Free State Crinums (55-36) and Gauteng Jaguars (47-29) made for a difficult weekend.

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The Flames’ main goal threat, Elmeré van der Berg, was also injured which added extra pressure on the ladies from North West.

There is still hope for a turnaround for head coach, Elsunet du Plessis, with matches against the Aloes and Kingdom Stars next month.

“It was a difficult weekend, especially as our options were very limited with our two main goal shooters injured. Hopefully both will be ready for the 3rd of June. We are going to work on our ball placement and offensive lines for the upcoming matches,” added Du Plessis.

Wins against both sides will be crucial in the fight against ending on the bottom if the log. The seventh place team will face off in a relegation playoff match against the winner of division 2.

Two round robin matches are played against all the sides in their respective divisions.