Online Reporter
Sibonokuhle Mboni, [email protected]
CORRECTIONAL Netball Club’s bid for an unbeaten season in the Rainbow Netball League faces a defining test on 17 October, when they meet closest rivals Glow Petroleum Netball Club in a head-to-head clash confirmed on the league’s official fixture list.
Correctional lead the standings with 41 points from 21 matches, having gone unbeaten all season with 20 wins and a single draw. Glow Petroleum sit second on 35 points from 18 games, also unbeaten, with 17 wins and one draw, and have quietly closed the gap with games in hand. Their meeting at Chikurubi Bubble on 17 October could prove decisive in determining whether either side can maintain a perfect record through to the end of the season.
According to Precious Mudenge, the league’s fixtures secretary, prize money for the league winners is reviewed on an annual basis, with confirmation of this season’s amount expected to be announced closer to the end of the campaign, a detail that adds tangible stakes to the title race beyond bragging rights.
Glow Petroleum made their intentions clear over the weekend of September 19-20 with a dominant 82-22 win over ZRP Bulawayo and a 51-35 victory against Filchrist, keeping the pressure squarely on the league leaders.
Further back, Santa Queens sit third on 33 points, ahead of Green Fuel Netball Club and J.T Highflyers Netball Club, who round up the top five. J.T Highflyers endured a difficult weekend, however, losing 56-23 to Flow Angels before being outclassed 72-26 by Correctional Queens, results that expose the growing gulf between the league’s top two sides and the chasing pack.
Correctional Queens were equally emphatic, thrashing Flow Angels 80-12 to underline their credentials as genuine title contenders.
Elsewhere, Khami Netball Club endured a mixed weekend, beating ZRP Vixens 46-32 before falling 48-47 to Tenax in a tightly fought contest. Tenax also downed Golden Valley 53-27, while the latter recovered to edge ZRP Vixens 43-40.
At the foot of the table, the relegation picture remains bleak for Belvedere Netball Club, who sit last with just two points from 19 matches, alongside struggling sides White Angels and Chibwe Netball Club. Filchrist’s 49-31 win over ZRP Bulawayo did little to ease the pressure on either side near the bottom.
Tenax’s Monalisa Usvisvo was the standout performer of the weekend, earning best-player honours in back-to-back matches as goal shooter.
Correctional Queens’ Felistus Kwangwa matched that feat, picking up honours at goal defence against Flow Angels and goalkeeper against J.T Highflyers, while Glow Petroleum’s Lesibane Karaso and Unkemetsi Mabuku were also recognised for their performances at centre and goal attack respectively.
With their title-deciding clash now on the calendar, both Correctional and Glow Petroleum will be counting down the weeks to 17 October, a fixture that could shape the destiny of the Rainbow Netball League title.
RESULTS
Glow Petroleum 82-22 ZRP Bulawayo, Glow Petroleum 51-35 Filchrist, Flow Angels 56-23 J.T Highflyers,
Correctional Queens 72-26 J.T Highflyers, Correctional Queens 80-12 Flow Angels, Khami 46-32 ZRP Vixens, Tenax 48-47 Khami, Tenax 53-27 Golden Valley, Golden Valley 43-40 ZRP Vixens, Filchrist 49-31 ZRP Bulawayo
