NWU: THE EAGLES SOARED HIGH

Cristine Struweg

@c_r_i_s_1_0

All eyes were on the defending champions, University of Free State (UFS) and the North-West University (NWU) Eagles in the final match-up of the tournament on Monday night.

The match started on even terms, with a few balls being turned by one side and the favour then being returned by the other side. At the end of the first quarter, UFS peaked out in front with only one point, much less than people expected beforehand. In the next two quarters, UFS extended its lead bit by bit, ending the first half two points ahead, and the third quarter 5 points ahead of the NWU Eagles. In the fourth quarter, UFS was well on their way to becoming back-to-back champions, but we all know the saying, “It isn’t over till it is over”. At the five-minute mark, powerplay* was not yet used by either team, and has proved in the past that it can have a massive impact on the game result. The Eagles called their powerplay around the five-minute mark, and the momentum swung in their direction.

After the Eagles’ powerplay, they were still two points behind, and knew the hard work still needed to be done because UFS had their powerplay still in hand. Liamé de Lange, from UFS, had her worst nightmare turn into reality when she got sent off for two minutes after both referees determined that she had committed a dangerous foul, leaving UFS with only six players on the field and just over three minutes left to play. UFS pulled the trigger for their powerplay, but after the momentum swing they saw the game slipping from their fingers.

The NWU Eagles overcame the odds and lifted the Varsity Netball Trophy for the first time in nine years, beating UFS 57-49.

*Powerplay is a single two-minute period where the teams get two points per one goal.

Edited by Simoné de Witt