POLOKWANE – Limpopo senior women softball team won the bronze medal at the National Provincial Championship (NPC) held in Hoy Park in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal on March 21.

The team pipped Gauteng 5-2 in the semi-final to secure the feat.

The men’s team, however, were knocked out of the tournament after suffering defeats against Western Province, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

It was the first time in six years that the provincial team failed to make the final.

Benny Boshomane, executive member of Limpopo Softball Association, said despite their dismal performance they were happy with the team’s performance.

“We won the championship for six year in a row and we are upset to be eliminated like that. We did not have a lot of senior players in the team. What pleases us the most is that we had fielded a young team and some players made their debut in the provincial team. They tested themselves against the best softball players from other provinces and I think they will be better in the upcoming national tournaments.”

Boshomane added that they were happy with their women’s team. “It is the first time they won a bronze medal. We are happy with their performance. It shows that their coaches are doing something great behind the scenes.”

The NPC is the flagship event hosted under the banner of Softball South Africa and it allows players to showcase their softball talent on a national scale.

Koloi Kekana, headcoah of the senior men’s team said they will bounce back from the loss.

“The tourney was a bit different from our previous battles. We went to the battlefield with all the artillery regiments in the Limpopo Softball Association Super League. Every soldier was determined to preserve the legacy of the province. They knew from the bottom of their hearts that they are the vanguards of Limpopo softball and are strong-minded to give it their best. However, things did not go as planned but we will do well in the next events.”