After a convincing victory over VUT in the Varsity Sports netball series on Monday two of the most important games in the series awaits the team of Maties.
Maties won the match easily against VUT in the Coetzenburg-centre. The score was 83-19. Wednesday Maties take on Pukke and the last game before the semi-finals is on Monday against Kovsies in Stellenbosch. The match against Pukke will be played in Port Elizabeth after the previous game between the two teams was unexpectedly brought to an end due to load shedding in Potchefstroom. After several options were considered, it was decided to replay the game.
According Maties coach Christine Behan she is satisfied with her team's performance, but that there is still some work to do before the last two matches. The results of the matches against Pukle and Kovsies will determine whether Maties get a home semi-final. There is even a possibility that Maties can still finish top of the log. "Yes, there is a chance but we do not think about it. We would like a home semi-final and we have to win the games for that. The match against Pukke is almost like a mini-final for us," says Behan.
"It is sometimes difficult to play against the so called weaker teams because the game tends to become loose and then the players take unnecessary chances and do not always stick to the game plan. However, we are confident that we can beat Pukke and Kovsies. We work hard and the management looks carefully after the players. It is definitely possible."
In the beginning of the series Behan's team struggled with the so-called power play. It is two minutes in which each goal counts two. "Yes, it was a concern, but we're better at it and I'm happy now with how we approach it. It is no longer a problem area of our game. "
Maties is currently third in the standings behind Kovsies and Pretoria, but with a game in hand. The match against Pukke is on Wednesday at 19:00. Monday's clash with Kovsies is at 19:00 in the Coetzenburg centre.
Photo: Haike Brink
