Black Mambas kept their grip on top spot in the Women’s League 004 with a commanding 4-0 victory over MCC Ladies Vixens in a hockey league fixture played on May 24.

The Mambas went into the break with a two-goal advantage and did not let up in the second half, extending their lead to seal a result that keeps them firmly ahead in the standings.

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Mambas head coach Dion Gabriel was pleased with how his side came through, although he acknowledged the game had not been without its challenges. Several of his players were carrying an illness ahead of kick-off, with a few nursing flu symptoms and tight chests that left them below their best. Despite that, the Mambas found a way through.

“We started a bit slow,” Gabriel said. “A few of my girls got flu as well. But we managed to scrape through. This is a very good club and a big team as well, but our girls managed to pull it through.”

The Mambas are currently first on the log, and Gabriel has no intention of surrendering that position between now and the end of the season. The club has its sights set on promotion to Women’s League 003 next year, and Gabriel is already planning around that goal, bringing younger players into the squad alongside the more experienced heads in the group.

“We’re going into promotion next year again,” he said. “So we’re trying to get a few youngsters in as well and grow the club. The old give the young experience and talk to them about how to lead on the field.”

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The club is also reportedly looking ahead to a tour to Kimberley in September, with the squad drawing on a mix of provincial players and two or three Super T-level players within its ranks.

For the Vixens, it was a day that did not go to plan, though coach Tertius Leo found reason to keep spirits up. The Morningside-based side slipped to what he described as only their second loss in the league, leaving them around fifth or sixth on the log.

“The girls conceded at the last minute and today just wasn’t our day,” Leo said. “But the ladies pushed well and played well. For me, I’m still happy.”

Leo’s immediate ambition is to steer the Vixens into the top four, with an eye on climbing further up the table as the season progresses. He remained composed after the defeat, insisting his side would take each game as it comes.

“We take each game a step at a time,” he said. “The ladies will get their heads up. Moving forward in the league, we’re just looking forward.”

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