Big win for UB Crystals as BONA U21 league starts
19 Oct 2024
Young goal attacker Katlego Malele was outstanding as UB Crystals dispatched Thamaga Jaspers 66-21 on the opening day of Botswana Netball Association (BONA) Under 21 League.
The match was played at BONA Courts in Gaborone on Saturday.
Malele's quick passes, accurate shooting and overall good combination with goal shooter One Galebowe was too much for Jaspers.
With the support of wing attacker Sharon Chepete and centre Lame Aaron, they pressured the Jaspers defence from the onset to help Crystals establish a healthy 15-6 lead in the first quarter.
Jaspers however fought strongly in the second quarter with some enterprising performances by Boineelo Medupe and Bogolo Mekwele exposing some weaknesses on the Crystals rear guard of Chawa Pateletso and Bakang Kesitilwe. However, their shooting was at times not accurate and they trailed 28-12 at halftime.
The driving runs of Aaron in the centre position propelled Crystals forward in the last two quarters of the match. Malele took advantage of the numerous scoring opportunities to score more goals as the Crystals ran out comfortable winners.
Crystals coach Abednico Chitelo was satisfied with the performance of his team.
"We accounted ourselves well in many instances. We were fighting for every ball. The difference between us and our opponents is that they were giving up easily," he said in a postmatch interview.
Chitelo hailed the BONA Under 21 tournament, pointing that it would assist to groom young players.
"This tournament will give us an opportunity to develop the youth from grassroots since we have had no school sports activities. It was intended to close the gap and it is something that I think should continue going forward," he said.
Jaspers team manager Kelebogile Raphala said their main challenge was lack of training. She said her players live in different places and only came together to train one or two times before playing matches.
"Looking at our circumstances I can say our team played well. What we should do to improve is to find ways of training together so that we can improve as a team," she said.
In another match Centre for Sports Excellence defeated Notwane by 40-20.
Ends
Source : BOPA
Author : Jeremiah Sejabosigo
Location : Gaborone
Event : tournament
Date : 19 Oct 2024
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