The Free State Crinums recovered from their shock loss to the Golden Fireballs – the only team to achieve this feat in 2024 – with big win over the North West Flames, ahead of their table-topping clash against a fresh and rested Gauteng Jaguars in Saturday’s penultimate fixture, as the TNL 2024 Semi-Final berth contenders shaped up at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, on Friday, 14 June, 2024.
The 2024 League champions will be crowned in just five days’ time with the finals scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 19th, and the pressure is on as teams are down to their final games in which to book their spot for the semis and playoff rounds.
Earlier, Division B’s Limpopo Lilies started Friday’s action with more of their exceptional improvement and exciting elements on display during the first two days of the third and final Power Week, and their efforts were rewarded with the team avoiding a loss for the first time this season, recording their first draw to tie 42-42 with the KD Queens.
In a thrilling and closely-fought match next up, Tshukudu showcased their unwavering fighting spirit, while the Comets continued to demonstrate their remarkable form. The match truly contested, and log leaders the Eastern Cape Comets narrowly secured a one-goal win.
During the third match of the day, the Sonoblomo aimed to score 60 points against a tough Diamonds team to improve their goal average, and Free State team’s Demi-Leigh de Jager – playing as GA – delivered an outstanding performance to be named Player of the Match but, despite their efforts, the team fell short of their target.
However, Anneli Botes and her charges will find solace in the fact that the Sunbirds lost their match against the Tornados and still give them hope of securing that top 4 spot.
After suffering a defeat on Thursdady, the Crinums rallied with an impressive 54-33 triumph over the NW Flames. The half-time motivational talk from Coach Martha Mosoahle-Samm evidently had a profound impact, fuelling the team’s resurgence, while the Flames seemed to lose momentum.
Ultimately, the Crinums surged ahead, establishing a commanding 21-goal lead, and are now setting their sights on reclaiming the top spot in the Division A standings in their table-topping clash against a rested Gauteng Jaguars at 4pm on Saturday afternoon.
In the final match, the Fireballs proved why they are in the top three of Division A, as coach Dr. Elsje Jordaan played all 12 players in preparation for their final group-stage match against the Stings in Saturday’s concluding fixture, ahead of the tournament semi-finals.
The combination of Nomfundo Mngomezulu and Marichelle Visagie were lethal, leading the Gauteng side to a 41-goal victory. On the other hand, the Baobabs have not yet recorded a single point in the tournament, and appear poised to participate in the relegation/promotion playoffs.
Day 18 Results of the Telkom Netball League at Ellis Park Arena in the City of Johannesburg 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 Fixtures of the Telkom Netball League at Ellis Park Arena in the City of Johannesburg on Saturday, 15 June, 2024
08:00 Lilies vs Sunbirds10:00 Sonoblomo vs Tornados12:00 Diamonds vs Tshukudu14:00 KD Queens vs KD Stars16:00 Jaguars vs Crinums18:00 Stings vs Fireballs
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
Sunbirds 14 – 7 SonoblomoTshukudu 45 – 41LilliesFlames 43 – 48 StingsJaguars 68 – 37 AloesTornados 37 – 41 KD StarsCrinums 64 – 35 Baobabs
Day 3 Results on Sunday, 28 April, 2024
KD Queens 39 – 48 EC CometsSunbirds 47 – 45 DiamondsStings 47 – 49 FireballsBaobabs 50 – 62 AloesJaguars 48 – 48 Crinums
Day 4 Results on Monday, 29 April, 2024
KD Queens 40 – 32 DiamondsEC Comets 41 – 47 KD StarsSonoblomo 48 – 44 TshukuduLilies 21 – 49 SunbirdsFireballs 33 – 44 CrinumsStings 48 – 53 Jaguars
Day 5 Results on Tuesday, 30 April, 2024
Tornadoes 40 – 42 EC CometsDiamonds 47 – 38 LiliesSonoblomo 52 – 43 KD QueensBaobabs 31 – 70 FireballsKD Stars 42 – 33 SunbirdsFlames 33 – 48 Crinums
Day 6 Results on Wednesday, 1 May, 2024
Sonoblomo 42 – 60 KD StarsDiamonds 42 – 51 TornadoesKD Queens 50 – 49 TshukuduBaobabs 36 – 44 FlamesLilies 34 – 44 EC CometsAloes 35 – 61 Stings
Day 7 Results on Thursday, 2 May, 2024
Lilies 42 – 59 SonoblomoSunbirds 45 – 44 TshukuduAloes 41 – 58 FireballsTornados 60 – 45 KD QueensCrinums 44 – 37 StingsFlames 40 – 60 Jaguars
Day 8 Results on Friday, 3 May, 2024
EC Comets 53 – 40 SunbirdsSonoblomo 52 – 48 TornadosKD Stars 52 – 26 LiliesStings 60 – 34 BaobabsAloes 46 – 51 FlamesTshukudu 56 – 45 Diamonds
Day 9 Results on Saturday, 4 May 2024
Diamonds 47 – 57 SonoblomoTshukudu 35 – 49 EC CometsKD Stars 47 – 49 KD QueensCrinums 57 – 39 AloesSunbirds 41 – 52 TornadosFireballs 53 – 48 Jaguars
Day 10 Results on Sunday, 5 May 2024 (End of Power Week 1)
08:00 Lilies 44 – 49 KD Queens10:00 EC Comets 51 – 43 Sonoblomo12:00 Diamonds 36 – 55 KD Stars14:00 Tshukudu 46 – 62 Tornados
Day 11 Results on Friday, 31 June, 2024 (Power Week 2 Begins)
EC Comets 48 – 44 KD StarsJaguars 78 – 44 BaobabsTornados 56 – 35 LiliesCrinums 53 – 43 AloesFireballs 58 – 43 Flames
Day 12 Results on Saturday, 1 June, 2024
Diamonds 47 – 51 CometsSonoblomo 41 – 42 SunbirdsFlames 52 – 54 AloesKD Queens 39 – 45 TshukuduFireballs 51 – 53 JaguarsCrinums 51 – 43 Stings
Day 13 Results on Sunday, 2 June, 2024
Sonoblomo 40 – 38 LiliesEC Comets 47 – 33 KD QueensTshukudu 49 – 50 KD StarsSunbirds 54 – 48 DiamondsStings 74 – 36 BaobabsAloes 41 – 59 Jaguars
Day 14 Results on Monday, 3 June, 2024
KD Queens 54 – 47 DiamondsSunbirds 46 – 51 CometsTshukudu 57 – 38 SonoblomoKD Stars 41 – 37 TornadosStings 46 – 38 FlamesBaobabs 25 – 65 Crinums
Day 15 Results on Tuesday, 4 June, 2024
Lilies 28 – 47 KD StarsTornados 50 – 41 TshukuduSonoblomo 38 – 40 CometsJaguars 59 – 41 FlamesAloes 41 – 65 Fireballs
Day 16 Results on Wednesday, 5 June, 2024
Tornados 50 – 40 DiamondsTshukudu 49 – 43 LiliesKD Stars 53 – 43 SonoblomoAloes 49 – 60 StingsKD Queens 43 – 58 SunbirdsBaobabs 43 – 52 Flames
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
Original Copy: Netball SA, with editing by gsport
Photo Caption: The Free State Crinums recovered from their shock loss to the Golden Fireballs – the only team to achieve this feat in 2024 – with big win over the North West Flames, ahead of their table-topping clash against a fresh and rested Gauteng Jaguars in Saturday’s penultimate fixture, as the TNL 2024 Semi-Final berth contenders shaped up at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, on Friday, 14 June, 2024. All Photos: Netball South Africa
