Teboho Setena
The Free State Crinums have begun their defense of the Telkom Netball League (TNL)crown, winning opening matches in division A of the competition. The team won last year and is campaigning to stretch the reign as champion to five consecutive years.
The Crinums beat Limpopo’s Baobabs 68 – 34 on Saturday, 26 April, and on Monday they outclassed the Gauteng Jaguars 59 – 38. The latter is one of the rivals, including the Golden Fireballs, expected to give the defending champions a tough time in the competition. The first round of the tournament, held at the Sun City Super Bowl in the North West, will end on 4 May.
The Crinums’ impressive start has given Martha Mosoahle-Samm, head coach, confidence in the challenge of defending the crown. Her charges also played against the Spar Baby Proteas, the national U21 team, who are preparing for this year’s World Cup in Gibraltar, during September. Mosoahle-Samm, together with Karla Pretorious, assistant coach, are counting on the experience of their star players to plot success.
The next round of the league is scheduled to take place from 13 to 17 June, with the finals from 14 to 20 July.
