Baobabs remain optimistic in premier league

Provincial netball team Limpopo Baobabs suffered a third loss in round two of the Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League on Sunday when Northern Cape Diamonds defeated them 38-46 at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria.
They also lost to Mpumalanga Sunbirds and Gauteng Golden Fireballs earlier in the tournament.
The team will be hoping for points when they play against Free State Crinums in their fourth match of the league on Saturday.
Goal defender, Pauline Ramorwalo who was named Player of the Match against Diamonds said their loss was prompted by the fact that they became excited and forgot they still had a game to focus on and win. “We played good netball, we dominated throughout the match but lost concentration in the last stage of the match. Every game is a lesson for us so we still believe we can do better and win next time. We need to apply basic netball then be calm, absorb the pressure and do well,” Ramorwalo said.
She gave credit to her teammates for the Player of the Match award. “I was able to achieve this because of my teammates. We played well as a team but unfortunately were unable to win the match,” Ramorwalo said.
Despite their dismal run in the league, Coach Cecilia Molekwane is confident that they will do well in the last remaining matches. “We are left with seven matches in the league and those are the ones we should win. We can’t despair because we have lost three matches. We are still on the right path and we are determined to find our foot in the league,” Molekwane said.
Netball South Africa announced the launch of the first ever semi-professional netball league in South Africa, as well as in Africa on 16 April 2014. The league added a new dimension to women’s sport in South Africa as it became netball’s premier domestic competition incorporating 10 teams from all 9 provinces. The competition runs over five weeks and pits the five best provincial teams against each other in Division 1, and the rest of the teams in Division 2 within a relegation and promotion system. The match between Limpopo Baobabs and Free State Crinums will be broadcast live on Saturday from 15:45 to 17:45 on several sport channels.

Featured Photo: Herbert Rachuene – The Limpopo Baobabs team photographed prior their departure in March to participate in the Brutal Fruit Netball League. In front are team Captain Vasta Nchefu, Shongile Nhlungwane, Jackina Sithole and Tshepo Nkhumane.  In the middle are Assistant Coach Annah Ledwaba, Theoner Mthombeni, Riivonia Ngobeni, Assistant Coach Elmarie Craig, Rebecca Makokga and Josiphine Mamabolo with Prista Mhlongo, Rahab Ngobeni, Kgothatso Mofomme, Estazel Petitt, Emily Mathosa, Modjadji Ramorwalo, Rirhandzu Mavulwana and Head Coach Cecilia Molekwane at the back.

Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za