There was high drama and tears of joy as the Nelson Mandela Bay “A” team overcame Boland 33-32 in Saturday's final of the Spar National Netball Championships at the NMMU Sport Centre, Port Elizabeth. This close victory ensured that all 3 Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) teams won their respective sections. The 3 NMB teams featured 15 players who have been or are currently on the ECAS support programmes. Moreover, the performances of the NMB A players in that final match guaranteed that all the team and individual awards at the Spar National Netball Championships remained in Port Elizabeth!!

The victorious Nelson Mandela Bay "A" Team

Having played each other twice before in the group and playoff stages of the competition, the Boland-Nelson Mandela Bay final was going to be highly tactical affair. In the first half, the NMB performance was team effort. Chauke kept converting her numerous chances that came here way thanks to Zanele Mdodana and Mampho Tsotetsi’s dominance of the centre court.  In the instances when Dumisani was not in good positions, Goal Attack Elzanne Lotter showed acute precision to score goals from all positions in the circle.  After having been contained by Almorette Le Roux in their previous match, Boland found NMB goalkeeper Nontle Gwavu just as formidable in defence. At halftime NMB was leading 22-15.

However Boland emerged from the break revitalised. Zanele Mdodana had to be rested in the third quarter and Boland capitalised - outscoring the NMB team by eight goals to four, and at the end of the quarter were trailing by only three goals. However a combination of better tactics and a passionate crowd spurred on the NMB team in the fourth quarter. With Zanele back on, the lead changed hands with every passing minute but in the final minute, NMB were ahead by a solitary goal. NMB correctly played for time, maintaining possession in the centre court until the final whistle. Final score NMB 33 – Boland 32!!

The tournament organisers and Nelson Mandela Bay coach Reg Sharp can be proud of hosting a great tournament and of their total dominance on the court. Nelson Mandela Bay won gold in all three sections of the women’s tournament and all four individual awards - a clean sweep!!

Award winners (from left) Dumisani Chauke, Zanele Mdodana and Nontle Gwavu

Spar National Netball Championships Awards

Winners “A” Section: Nelson Mandela Bay A
Winners “B” Section: Nelson Mandela Bay B
Winners “C” Section: Nelson Mandela Bay C
Player of the Tournament: Zanele Mdodana (Nelson Mandela Bay A)
Best Defensive Player: Nontle Gwavu (Nelson Mandela Bay A)
Best Centre Court Player: Zanele Mdodana (Nelson Mandela Bay A)
Best Shooter: Dumisani Chauke (Nelson Mandela Bay A)