Rains disrupt Blantyre netball derby in OG Issa League
A highly contested encounter between Tigresses and MTL Queens in the OG Issa Southern Region Netball League was abandoned in the second quarter with just 18 minutes into the kick-off as rains disrupted the match on Saturday at Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC) when both teams were tied 12 baskets each.
Both teams kicked off the match on a positive note as they displayed stunning netball to the satisfaction of the spectators who thronged BYC in large numbers.
Fielding young and upcoming players, MTL Queens were first to torment their opponent with Pilirani Msukwa commanding the centre as Joana Kachilika tamed Sindi Simutowe brilliantly.
At one point, MTL Queens were leading with 3 baskets only to be outplayed in the 8th minutes of the first quarter as Tigresses through Beatrice Mpinganjira, Simutowe and Ellen Chibokho dominated.
As spectators were enjoying the proceedings of a fast encounter, rain downpour frustrated  the match as the BYC court was waterlogged.
The court, which government pumped K23 million for its maintenance was not conducive for the players to continue as  it was slippery because of the surface paint which was used.
Southern Region Netball League general secretary Annie Hanjahanja said after consulting both teams they agreed that the match be shifted to Sunday morning.
In other matches, Diamonds won by 66-18 baskets against Airwing after another victory to Prison with a 71-14 margin.
MTL Queens beat Airwing 55-29 in their first game.
