Gauteng Central net elusive gold

Gauteng Central finally have their hands on the Spar National Netball title.

Having lost out by just one goal in 2004's final, the Johannesburg team dominated the tournament in Polokwane last week.

And, in spite of some nerve-racking moments ahead of their final match, with flashbacks to 2004's nightmare, they easily overcame defending champions Eastern Province 47-37 - eventually.

In a repeat of what transpired at last year's championships in Potchefstroom, it came down to the final round-robin matches to determine who would contest Saturday's final. And again, just like in 2004, Gauteng Central and EP came up against each other on the morning of the final.

Then, as the pattern seemed to start repeating itself, just as they did last year in the final round-robin game, Gauteng Central defeated EP 52-34.

And EP again scraped into the final on goal average after Boland caused an upset by beating Western Province 45-43, ruling them out of a safe passage to the final.

But that's where the similarities ended and EP's fairytale, which saw them taking the title for the first time in 2004, came to an abrupt end as they simply could not match Gauteng Central's superior skill on court.

With the core of their team consisting of experienced national players, the side were simply untouchable.

Manzo Machoga, who was later named player of the tournament, was superb on attack, ably supported by the young Maryke du Preez.

Gauteng Central led from the start and while EP managed to come within one goal at several stages in the second quarter, the effects of their tough encounter earlier in the day seemed to take its toll.

They could not keep up and gradually lost touch, finishing the second quarter on 22-18 and the third on 36-25.

"It's great to finally win after so long," said Gauteng Central captain Martha Mosoahle. "I think last year was always in the back of our minds right until the point we won the gold. It has been haunting us and we knew we had to rectify our mistakes.

"Before the match, deep down we probably would have preferred playing Western Province in the final because there wouldn't have been a mental block but in the end my team were ready to take on anyone."

EP assistant coach Lana Krige was far from disappointed afterwards.

"I think the team did exceptionally well," she said.

"Some of the girls didn't even play in the A section last year and they have stepped up because of all the withdrawals from the team just before the tournament.

"This week has been great for them to be exposed to competition at this level, playing against some great national players like Manzo Machoga and Nthabiseng Moabi and I'm really proud of them."

Along with player of the tournament, Machoga was also named best shooter, while her team-mate, Leigh-Ann Zackey, was named best defender and Anel Mostert of Boland best centre.

Final positions:

1 Gauteng Central, 2 Eastern Province, 3 Western Province, 4 Free State, 5 Boland, 6 Gauteng East, 7 Gauteng North, 8 North West South, 9 Zululand