The Mpumalanga Sunbirds were the second team to be docked points in the Telkom Netball League. They were up against the Kingdom Queens in the first Division B semi-final and initially won 43-42 but have now forfeited the match according to rules 3.6 and 3.7 of the tournament. The Sunbirds played the entire second quarter 6/1 (six blacks and one white) and have now been docked points, losing the game 0-42. The Queens will now gear up for tomorrow’s final against the Aloes and the winner of this game will take part in the promotion/relegation match on Tuesday afternoon.
Clause 3.6 states: Provincial teams should reflect the demographics of the country. Team management should be 50/50 and the filter of players should be 2/5 or ¾ on court and should apply at all times. Failing to comply, points and goals will be taken from the non-complying team. Provincial demographics will be considered on approval of players and team management.
Clause 3.7 states: The competing team should play 2/5 or ¾ in each quarter of the game, if a team plays 6/1 on court for the entire quarter and complied with 2/5 or ¾ in other quarters, that team will be considered non-compliant of target system and such teams will forfeit points and goals of that game.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape Aloes booked their spot in the final after beating the Western Cape Tornados 37-26 to set up a final with the Kingdom Queens. Both these teams will be meeting for the third time in the competition and have both secured one win apiece. In the first match, the Aloes led all four quarters and won 39-34 but the Queens bounced back in the second game after losing the first and second quarter to win the match in the last two minutes by one goal.
‘’The Queens game will not be an easy one, they going to come hard at us but obviously we will go back and do our homework against them. Yes, they beat us by one goal the previous time, but the girls have the right energy and spirit,’’ Aloes coach Sameshia Esau commented after the game.
The Northern Cape Diamonds will have something to smile about after beating the Limpopo Baobabs 47-35 in the 5th/6th play-off match. This was a major improvement from the Diamonds having lost all their matches in last year’s edition but registered three victories during the round robin stage and a win in the play-off match.
