03 Sep 2018

BDF Cats are this year’s, Notwane netball U-20 HIV/AIDS tournament.

The Cats got the title after beating Prisons 37-33 in the finals played at the BONA Courts on Sunday.

Although it was not an easy final for the Cats, who were in Group B, it was clear during their road to the final that they were on a mission to win the prestigious trophy.

The Cats beat BBK 33-17 and  Jwaneng 35-22 to qualify for the finals, while Prisons, who were in Group A, beat Police 45-15 and Notwane 39-20.

During the finals, it was Prisons who were the better team, winning the first and the second quarters with 9-7 and 15-11 respectively.

However, Cats turned the tables on Prisions in the third quarter, as they increased the tempo of the game to win it 27-24. Although Prisons tried to fight back in the final quarter, it was too late BDF Cats won the game 37-33.

The jubilant, BDF Cats coach, Kagisano Mawela said in an interview that despite winning the game, they had a challenge because they did not train as a team, due to school commitments.

She said her combination did not gel properly, adding that their mid court was also suspect as they were left wanting most of the time.

Prisons coach, Olebile Ramosesane said they lost a lot of balls, while failing to utilise their centre passes, adding that their goal shooter was also not visible most of the time.

He said their game plan, going into the final, was to exploit their centre passes without fail, given that they were aware that BDF Cats’ goal shooter was not strong.

“Cats players have been in camp for a lot time and they were fitter than my players, because we had only a week in camp, hence I warned them not to make that mistake of upping the pace of the game,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jwaneng beat Notwane 40-16 to win a bronze medal.

On individual awards, Botlhe Lekgare of Jwaneng won the Most Valuable Player and upcoming athlete while her teammate, Tebogo Mapichola went away with the best shooter.

Lesego Madibela of  Prisons was selected as best defender.

The tournament’s organiser, Kelebogile Maplanka said the tournament was started in 2008 after the realisation that there was a gap in their development structures.

“I personally came up with the idea of the tournament, which talks to the younger players, because you will realise that most of the young players do not have the opportunity to compete against players in the league,”| she said. ENDS