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Madibaz dominate netball tournament

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The Madibaz teams made the most of their home-court advantage to dominate the SPAR-NMMU Netball Tournament in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

A record 54 teams – from clubs as far afield as East London and Grahamstown – descended on the 2nd Avenue Campus courts in Summerstrand for the season-opening tournament.

But in the end it was the hosts who prevailed, taking the honours in three of the five pool finals, as well as the men’s division.

In pool A, the SPAR-NMMU first team claimed a narrow 10-8 victory over local rivals Framesby.

Meanwhile, the SPAR-NMMU Mix team overcame the university’s second-string Mandela side by the same scoreline in the A-reserve section.

Netters beat Despatch (14-7) for the win in pool B, while Framesby 2 went down (16-5) to Framesby 3 in section C.

In another all-Madibaz final, SPAR-NMMU 1 beat SPAR-NMMU 2 (9-3) to claim victory in pool D.

In the men’s section, the hosts also scored a nail-biting one-point win (9-8) over rivals Walter Sisulu University.

All players in the winning sides received prize money in the form of SPAR gift vouchers.

According to event organiser and Madibaz manager Theresa le Roux, the tournament had been very successful, with some pleasing results for the host institution.

“We had a bumper turnout this year; this tournament has really helped to grow the exposure for netball in the metro.”

Le Roux said the tournament had experienced phenomenal growth since SPAR Eastern Cape had come on board as title sponsors six years ago.

“In 2009, we had just 20-odd teams and now we’ve more than doubled that to this year’s record numbers.”

The victorious Madibaz first team will once again face off against the top club teams in the metro during the Ria Strydom Tournament, which takes place at the Young Park netball courts next weekend.

SPAR NMMU Netball Tournament

SPAR-NMMU’s Eileen van Zyl takes aim during the season-opening SPAR-NMMU Netball Tournament at the 2nd Avenue Campus in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. The hosts won three of the five pool finals, as well as the men’s section. Photo: Richard Huggard
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.