Kingston – The SPAR Netball Proteas went down 55-47 to Jamaica in a hard-fought first Test in the three-match Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday but national coach Jenny van Dyk is not downcast.
“The last time we played Jamaica; we lost by 18 points – this time we lost by eight. There is something to work on and next time, we will know what to expect,” said Van Dyk after the match.
The two teams traded goal for goal in the closely contested first quarter, which ended 12-all.
During the second quarter, the South African goalkeeper Nicola Smith fell heavily and had to leave the court with an arm injury and her replacement Ane Retief was sent off for two minutes for a foul (dangerous play).
The Sunshine Girls took advantage of the situation and won the quarter by 16 goals to 11.
Jamaica maintained momentum and made the most of the situation in the third quarter, stretching their lead to 10 points on two occasions.
But the SPAR Proteas fought back hard and reduced the margin to seven goals, (42-35).
In the final quarter, the Sunshine Girls surged ahead to take a 12-point lead, but Captain Khanyisa Chawane’s team fought to the end and some superb shooting by Elmere van den Bergh supported by inform goal attack Kamogelo Maseko, helped the SPAR Proteas to finish the match just eight goals behind.
“We had a plan and a strategy, but we were thrown a curve ball in the second quarter,” said Assistant Coach Zanele Mdodana.
“That’s where we lost the match because all the other quarters were very close. Losing Nicola changed the momentum of the game,” she said.
In the curtain raiser, the SPAR Baby Proteas impressed in beating Jamaica Under-21 by 61 goals to 31.
The next match is on Thursday, (2 January 2025 – 02h00 SA time) and the final test is on Sunday, (26 January 2025 – 01h00 SA time).
All matches are live on SuperSport Variety 4 DStv Channel 209.
