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Ellina Mhlanga-Senior Sports Reporter
PLATINUM Queens coach Simbarashe Mlambo believes they are on course to defending the Premier Netball League title after they continued with their unbeaten run in games played recently in Victoria Falls.
The Zvishavane-based side are yet to lose a match and following the second bubble in the second round of the season, they seem set to continue with their dominance.
Their opponents included rivals ZDF and Harare City.
They beat ZDF 31-28 in a closely-contested encounter and won 31-18 against Harare City.
In the other match they defeated Rhinos 40-19. They then overpowered Lupane 47-11 and 46-17 in back-to-back matches. The two teams had an outstanding game from the first round fixtures.
“Our unbeaten run speaks for itself and I think we are on course but definitely we cannot afford to be complacent and relax and suffer a defeat. We have to win one big match. At least one big match against the other big clubs. We are going to face Ngezi Platinum and GreenFuel.
“I can’t predict the future and say we won’t lose a match but definitely we will do everything in our power to make sure that we don’t lose a match.
“I mean the girls promised to work extra hard especially in this second round and the penultimate bubbles that are coming forth.
“Definitely we will do everything in our power to make sure that they are mentally prepared and their attitude is correct and they are in the right framework of mind to win the last games and make sure we maintain the unbeaten record,” said Mlambo.
Platinum Queens have so far won all the 22 games they have played and are occupying the top spot on the log table with 44 points.
Mlambo, however, admitted they had to dig deep against ZDF, who are also a top team in the PNL.
“The team played exceptionally well. I think all our games were tough and the heat in Victoria Falls was not helping issues.
“But then, they have always been facing the similar heat in Zvishavane, so we were at home.
“And facing ZDF in the first game, which was the game that everybody was looking forward to and it was a very tough game…Going into the last quarter we were leading by six goals but those were reduced to three. But finally we managed to secure our two points.
“They have always been a tricky team and a difficult encounter but we actually enjoyed ourselves because we did very well.
“And we actually won five (matches) including the back to back against Lupane.
“And when you are dealing with Harare City as well, they are quite competitive and they will give you a run for your money but still we beat them and we were very happy,” said Mlambo.
Platinum Queens is home to several national team players that include the Gems’ vice-captain Claris Kwaramba, Tanaka Makusha, Progress Moyo and Priscilla Ndlovu.
Harare City netball team coach, Ropafadzo Mutsauki, conceded they lost to a better side.
“Platinum Queens so far is the best team we can talk of because they are professionals and they have the resources and they utilised their chances.
“We are still on rebuilding exercise with our team, so if we can just be in the top six I think that will be good for us for this season.
“Our shooting area is not coming up well, so we still need to recruit to get a number of shooters,” said Mutsauki.
Harare City beat Lupane 41-21 in their other match.
The next round of matches is scheduled for October 1 in Chisumbanje and Harare.
Online Reporter