Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SANTA Netball Queens’ target of completing their Rainbow Netball League campaign as the front-runners got off to a perfect start.
They are in second place on the standings after the two bubbles.
The Mutare-based side have collected seven points in four games and sit second on the table, behind GreenFuel who have the same points and a superior goal difference.
Santa survived a scare at the weekend in Chisumbanje when they recorded a 42-42 draw against hosts GreenFuel.
This was before they walloped police side Black Mambas 43-31 in the second bubble of the season.
Head Coach Simbarashe Mlambo notes that despite the draw, his side kept themselves in title contention by averting defeat.
“I am glad that we got a good win against Black Mambas and a hard-earned draw against GreenFuel because it has a huge bearing on our season.
“We do not underestimate any opponent but last weekend we had two of our four big fixtures of the season, hence we needed to bring our A-game.”
Mlambo notes that his charges were more aggressive in their fixture against GreenFuel than the Mambas game.
This, he said, was a strategy based on their playing format and the type of opponents they were facing.
“I am happy that the girls listened to instructions although we are a work in progress and still have a long way to go but our project is taking shape.
“We could have snatched a win against GreenFuel but I believe it was not our day.”
He said his team still needs to work on endurance and create more shooting options.
“We are solid in defence, but we need to clean up in our shooting and midfield and also work on coordination as a team,” he said.
“Based on the vision that we have as a technical team, we are in the right direction and I am sure that soon we will be pulling huge surprises.”
Mlambo added: “The belief has to be inculcated into our house and I trust that seed can germinate into something huge.
“Real talent is there so the psychological aspect is what we need to work on.
“Looking at the way we started the season, we have made a statement to our opponents and now teams will come guns blazing.
“This means we have to work twice as hard and without self-belief it can be tough for us.”
Results
Flow Angels 81-21 White Angels; Flow Angels 66-17 Belvedere; Flow Angels 71-24 Chibwe; Chibwe 35-29 Belvedere; Green Fuel 52-46 Mambas; Santa 42-42 Green Fuel; Glow Petroleum 81-26 Golden Valley; Khami 53-46 Hwange; Hwange 90-18 White Angels; Khami 94-21 White Angels
