The Kingdom Stars emerged victorious as champions in the highly competitive Telkom Netball League Division 2 final held at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 18 June, 2024.
After being relegated to TNL Division 2 last year by the Limpopo Baobabs, the Stars had an exceptional campaign, winning fourteen out of sixteen games in the round-robin stages and earning a spot in the semi-finals against the Tornados.
The semi-final against the Eastern Cape Comets was a tough battle, with both teams showing progress and determination. The Comets secured their spot in the final after defeating the Sunbirds in extra time.
The Comets, who experienced only one defeat during the round-robin stages, faced the Stars in the final at Ellis Park Arena. The final was a closely contested match with a small goal gap between the two sides.
Despite playing in their first-ever final, the Eastern Cape Comets gave it their all. It was a significant achievement for them to reach the final after finishing sixth last year, marking a remarkable improvement in their performance.
In a tightly contested final, the Stars’ defensive unit, led by Dikeledi Mpanza, Nozipho Ntshangase, and Grace Daley, turned the game in their favor, allowing the team to capitalize on the Comets’ mistakes.
In the end, the Stars, led by Precious Mthembu, outperformed the Comets to secure the title. Mthembu achieved the rare feat of winning the title as both a player and a coach!
With this victory, the Stars now have the chance to reclaim their spot in the national champions’ A Division in a relegation/promotion rematch against the Limpopo Baobabs, their rivals from last year.
In the Division 2 bronze medal final on Tuesday, the Tornados emerged victorious with a hard-fought 44-39 win over the Sunbirds. Both teams showed determination, but the Tornados capitalized on mistakes in the third quarter to secure the win.
Andri Kannemeyer played a crucial role in the Tornados’ victory, earning her second Player of the Match award in the tournament.
The Baobabs vs. Stars promotion/relegation match will take place on Wednesday at 4pm at Ellis Park Arena, followed by the conclusion of the tournament’s final at 6pm.
Telkom Netball League Results on Day 22 at Ellis Park Arena in the City of Johannesburg on Tuesday, 18 June, 2024
Division 2 5th/6th Position Playoffs: Freestate Sonoblomo 60 – 61 North West Tshukudu (In Extra Time)Division 1 5th/6th Position Playoffs: Eastern Cape Aloes 51 – 52 North West FlamesDivision 2 3rd/4th Position Playoffs: Sunbirds 39 – 44 TornadosDivision 1 3rd/4th Position Playoffs: Southern Stings 41 – 53 Golden FireballsDivision 2 FINAL – Eastern Cape Comets 35 – 37 Kingdom Stars
Division 2 Individual Awards
Best Shooter: Aphiwe Thusini – KD StarsBest Centre: Arne Rust – EC CometsBest Defender: Amarachi AgbaiStand Tall Player of the Tournament: Nozipho Ntshangase – KD Stars
Division 2 Final Standings
Kingdom StarsEC CometsTornadoSunbirdsSonoblomoTshukuduKingdom QueensDiamondsLilies
Telkom Netball League Fixtures on Day 23 at Ellis Park Arena in the City of Johannesburg on Wednesday, 19 June, 2024
16:00: Limpopo Baobabs vs Kingdom Stars Promotion / Relegation Match18:00: Division 1 FINAL: Gauteng Jaguars vs Free State Crinums
Day 1 Results on Friday, 26 April, 2024
Kingdom Stars 53 – 42 TshukuduKingdom Queens 32 – 37 SunbirdsTornados 46 – 34 LiliesJaguars 53 – 40 BaobabsComets 43 – 35 DiamondsFireballs 42 – 39 Flames
Day 2 Results on Saturday, 27 April, 2024
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Day 17 Results on Thursday, 13 June, 2024 (Power Week 3 Begins)
Sonoblomo 54 – 35 KD QueensLilies 53 – 58 DiamondsComets 52 – 39 TornadosKD Stars 54 – 31 SunbirdsStings 46 – 66 JaguarsFireballs 49 – 47 Crinums
Day 18 Results on Friday, 14 June, 2024
KD Queens 42-42 LiliesTshukudu 44-45 CometsDiamonds 47-53 SonoblomoSunbirds 40-62 TornadosCrinums 54-33 FlamesBaobabs 31-72 Fireballs
Day 19 Results on Saturday, 15 June, 2024
Lilies 43 – 50 SunbirdsSonoblomo 49 – 52 TornadosDiamonds 53 – 46 TshukuduKD Queens 38 – 40 KD StarsJaguars 39 – 37 CrinumsStings 49 – 57 Fireballs
Day 20 Results on Sunday, 16 June, 2024 (End of Power Week 3)
Sunbirds 34-55 TshukuduComets 41-37 LilliesKD Stars 47-33 DiamondsKD Queens 40-55 TornadosBaobabs 53-62 Aloes
Telkom Netball League Semi-Final Results on Monday, 17 June, 2024
Division 2 7th/8th Position Playoffs: Kingdom Queens 46 – 53 DiamondsDivision 2 Semi-Final 1: Eastern Cape Comets 50 – 48 Sunbirds (Extra time)Division 2 Semi-Final 2: Kingdom Stars 38 – 37 TornadosDivision 1 Semi-Final 1: Gauteng Jaguars 48 – 46 Southern StingsDivision 1 Semi-Final 2: Golden Fireballs 39 – 43 Free State Crinums
Telkom Netball League Results on Day 22 at Ellis Park Arena in the City of Johannesburg on Tuesday, 18 June, 2024
Division 2 5th/6th Position Playoffs: Freestate Sonoblomo 60 – 61 North West Tshukudu (In Extra Time)Division 1 5th/6th Position Playoffs: Eastern Cape Aloes 51 – 52 North West FlamesDivision 2 3rd/4th Position Playoffs: Sunbirds 39 – 44 TornadosDivision 1 3rd/4th Position Playoffs: Southern Stings 41 – 53 Golden FireballsDivision 2 FINAL – Eastern Cape Comets 35 – 37 Kingdom Stars
Original Copy: Netball SA, with editing by gsport
Photo Caption: The Kingdom Stars were crowned the champions in a rivetingly competitive Telkom Netball League Division 2 final on the back of an incredible campaign featuring fourteen wins in sixteen games, at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 18 June, 2024. All Photos: Netball South Africa
