Diamonds beat Bingu Tigresses, lead in GOtv netball league
Diamonds have launched their charge to be the first team to claim the GOtv Netball Champions League as they are basking comfortably on the summit table with 20 points after clobbering Bingu Tigresses 40-31 baskets in a highly contested encounter on Sunday at Blantyre Youth Centre.
Diamonds- formerly Escom Sisters also inflicted pain to Civonets in their first game 37-35 baskets.
In their tie against Bingu Tigresses , Diamond through their hit-lady shooter Jessica ‘Agogo’ Mazengera showed determination to win the match in the third and last quarter when she enjoyed passes with Sarudzai Gondwe.
In the first quarter, Tigresses was a better side with their slippery shooter Sindi Simutowe scoring basket after another but Diamond proved tough to them with a 12-6 lead.
Came second quarter, Diamond accelerated their gear again as they kept Tigresses on the tight rope with fantastic netball especially through their centre where Bridget Kumwenda stood firmly over Beatrice Kadango for Tigresses.
However, the last quarter proved more tougher for Tigresses as most of their players failed to stand a physicall Diamond side led by their goal defender Caroline Ngwira and Towera Vinkhumbo.
In the third quarter, Diamonds led by 34-22 baskets.
In the final quarter, Tigresses lacked the steam to contain the powerful front of Mazengera and Sarudzai Gondwe until the last whistle.
In their first game against Civonets, Diamonds won by 37-35 baskets.
In other encounters on Sunday, Bingu Tigresses scorched MTL Queens as MTL Queens managed to revenge their defeat to Blue Eagles Sisters with a 48-40 baskets.
On Saturday, MTL Queens lost to Diamonds 34-39 baskets before beating Civonets 46-38.
Civonets, who are anchoring the log-table also lost their second game to Bingu Tigresses by 31-51 baskets with their capital city colleagues Blue Eagles Sisters failing to register any victory as they went down 33-39 to Diamonds before losing to Bingu Tigresses by 43-48 baskets.
Meanwhile, the finals in the GOtv Netball Championship are slated for Saturday in Lilongwe.
