Madibaz hold on to beat UJ

University of Johannesburg were chasing Madibaz from as early as the first 10 minutes and could not quite catch the Eastern Cape side, as the visitors held on for a 58-50 win at UJ Sports Hall in Johannesburg on Monday night.

It was an even contest in the opening exchanges as the two sides added points.

Madibaz soon pulled ahead 7-5 thanks to great work and clinical finishing by goal scorer Nolisindiso Twani.

The first quarter ended 14-9 to Madibaz as they extended their lead to five points.

The match resumed as the goal defence on either side was resolute and the attacking moves by both teams were thwarted.

Quality finishing by Madibaz ensured that their five-point cushion soon grew to seven.

Jodie Brown was a standout performer in defence for UJ, doing all she could to keep her side in the match, but entering into the final quarter the score was 41-36 to Madibaz, as they maintained their lead.

But Madibaz didn’t buckle. Their attack capitalised on the great defensive work and punished UJ, taking their opportunities to put points on the board.

The match ended 58-50 as Madibaz earned a maximum five points on the road in the opening match.

Although UJ lost, they did earn themselves a bonus point for accumulating 50 points.

The FNB Player of the Match was Eloise Webb, of Madibaz

• Tuks got their Varsity Netball campaign off to a rocket start with a comprehensive 62-41 drubbing of Kovsies in Bloemfontein on Monday.

The teams were very even for the best part of the first 40 minutes or so before Tuks took the game away with a brilliant power play midway through the last quarter to hand Kovsies their biggest defeat in the history of the competition.

In that two-minute power play they scored five goals without reply, counting for 10 points.

That broke the Kovsies’ spirits after they were also unable to score a single goal in the first power play, which they called in the second quarter.

In other matches: UCT 53 VUT 39, Maties 32 Pukke 41