Hosts BBS fall badly in Netball Premiership debut

THE gulf between the Bulawayo Christian League and the Nedbank Premier Netball League was laid bare at St Columba’s on Saturday when debutants Bulawayo Business School (BBS) struggled in their inaugural campaign.

BBS had excelled at the play offs for Premier League qualification held two months ago. Fielding a young and enthusiastic squad made up of pupils from the Bulawayo Business District institution, the team put in commendable effort but were ultimately outmatched in both experience and height.

They hosted the Bulawayo bubble, which featured Chapungu, Harare City and defending league champions Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF).

The girls suffered a heavy 89-30 defeat to Harare City before going down 44-34 to Harare District.
The afternoon delivered a surprise result as defending champions ZDF were narrowly beaten 42-41 by Chapungu.

George Chitsa of BBS described the first bubble as a learning curve both on and off the court, noting the challenges of hosting and competing at this level.

“For us as the hosting team we were very happy to have the experiencing of seeing ZDF, Chapungu, Harare City and Harare District, it was a great opportunity, we are happy the scoreline was narrow, which proved we are improving. We hope to do better, this is good for Bulawayo, it’s now two teams in Bulawayo,” said Chitsa.

The other Bulawayo side in the Premier Netball League is Imbizo, who were playing away. Promoted last year, they took part in the 2025 campaign and avoided relegation with a strong showing.
Chitsa expressed hope for better results in the next bubble, scheduled for this weekend.

Aleck Chewe, convenor of the Bulawayo games in which six matches were played, said BBS showed promise.

“The players were really prepared, the scorelines were 50-50, the pre-season gave players and teams to dully prepare for the season. As the new kids on the block they performed extremely well, in another match they scored 30 and in the other more than 30 again,” said Chewe.

League spokesperson Innocent Ndiya said the season had begun on a positive note and applauded the strong turnout at all venues.

BULAWAYO BUBBLE –
St Columba’s
Chapungu 49 – Harare City 39, ZDF Queens 91 – Harare District 18, Harare City 89 – BBS College 30, Chapungu 69 – Harare District 30, Harare District 44 – BBS College 34, Chapungu 42 – ZDF Queens 41
HARARE BUBBLE
Josiah Magama Tongongara Barracks
Black Rhinos 57 – Mutare City 47, Ligi Dolphins 19 – Tongogara Queens 80, Black Rhinos 52 – Imbizo Queens 34, Ligi Dolphins 23 – Mutare City Queens 57, Tongogara Queens 72 – Chibi Queens 15, Ligi Dolphins 22 – Imbizo Queens 72, Tongogara Queens 35 – Imbizo Queens 26, Chibi Queens 32 – Mutare City Queens 62, Black Rhinos 89 – Chibi Queens 26

MUTARE BUBBLE-
Dangare Primary School
Beitbridge Stars 69 – Buffaloes Queens 26, Makate High Flyers 76 – Correctional Stars 8, Aspindale Queens 38 – Pstars 55, Correctional Stars 41 – Buffaloes Queens 33, Aspindale Queens 69 – Buffaloes Queens 18, Makate High Flyers 49 – Pstars 31, Pstars 60 – Beitbridge Stars 34, Beitbridge Stars 73 – Correctional Stars 24, Makate High Flyers 52 – Aspindale Queens 32