Non-league teams scare giants in Rainbow Paints Cup first phase
It’s a chance for complete unknowns to hit the headlines by pulling out all the stops against the giants. There were victories for two non-leagues out-fit in the first day of the of the K1 million Rainbow Paints Top Six Netball Series which kicked-off on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the country’s netball Mecca, Blantyre Youth Centre.
The first Top Six tournament to be established in Malawi is open to all teams in the Southern Region. It will run for a month.
In group A, which comprised teams like Remed, Shizaela, Glass Bank and Aquaid, a non-league side Shizaela pruned an OG Issa League out-fit Glass Bank by 27 baskets to 9 after losing their first encounter to Remed 31-22.
In their second game, Shizaela produced a stunning performance after rectifying their problems which they encountered in their first game against Remed.
In other matches in group A, Glass Bank walloped Aquaid 58-8 baskets while after winning with their game to Shizaela, Remed could not stand the heat in their second match after going down 41-12 baskets to Glass Bank.
In group B, Zomba based non-league side, Air Wing won all their two matches to league sides starting with a 29-17 baskets victory to Chilomoni before clipping their fellow city colleagues Prison with a 35-17 baskets margin.
Exciting
Blantyre and District Netball League general secretary Anne Hanjahanja-Billie described the first day of the qualifying stage as very exciting .
“The first day of the qualifying stage was very exciting and there was stiff competition as you witnessed non league teams like Air Wing and Shizaela beating League teams,” said Hanjahanja.
Hanjahanja also emphasasized that a lot of talent can be unearthed for Malawi Queens Under-20 basing on the fact that most of the players, who featured during the first stage of the matches were young with potential.
Hanjahanja also urged Malawians to start patronizing netball matches .
“Let me also take this opportunity to encourage Malawians to start patronizing netball because we have a lot of talent. These girls need our support and for their information these matches are free of charge,” said Hanjahanja.
Seeded
Giants OG Issa League sides Escom Sisters, Bingu Tigresses, MTL Queens and Woget Sisters were seeded for the second phase.
The two winners from the first phase will join the seeded teams to make the Top Six Series. Tigresses and Woget and the winner of the first phase will form Group A whereas Escom, MTL Queens and the first phase runners-up will form Group B
The Rainbow Paints Top Six Series which was launched last week is being sponsored by Rainbow Limited Company after Sports Writers Association of Malawi (Swam) approached the company to sponsor netball
The tournament will see the overall champions taking home K200 000 while runners-up will get K100 000.
Rainbow Paints Top Six Series Results. October 27, 2012
-Group A
-Remed 31 vs Shizaela 22 @ BYC.
-Glass Bank 58 vs Aquaid 8 @ BYC.
-Remed 12 vs Glass Bank 41 @ BYC.
-Aquaid 9 vs Shizaela 27 @ BYC.
Group B.
-Prison 26 vs Young Quiz 21 @ BYC.
-Air wing 29 vs Chilomoni 17 @ BYC.
-Air Wing 35 vs Prison 17 @ BYC.
