ZDF IN PERFECT SEASON

Tadious Manyepo

Zimpapers Sport

ZIMBABWE Defence Forces Queens are riding on the crest of the wave after completing a remarkable tale by winning the Nedbank Premier Netball League without dropping a single point in the entire season.

They finished 30 games unbeaten.

The season came to a close at White City Stadium in Bulawayo on Sunday where the security forces club faced the most delicate fixtures in the final bubble of the year.

ZDF Queens led the standings by four points but they still had some huge work cut out for them with second-placed Black Rhinos and Harare City in third-place lined up to take them on.

But they threw in a spirited showing, first seeing off Harare City by seven points before they ground out a two-point win over Black Rhinos to seal their place at the top.

Although they were effectively confirmed the champions by the time the final whistle went off for their duel with Harare City, ZDF Queens still needed to beat Black Rhinos to secure their invincible status.

Gems shooter Sharon Bwanali, fresh from the national team’s tour of the United Kingdom last week, found herself in the thick of things and made all the difference when ZDF Queens saw off Harare Cit.

But it was Tafadzwa Matura who brought the magical touch in the victory over Black Rhinos to ensure the new champions did it without any blot on their landscape.

ZDF Queens coach Phillemon Mangwiro said the achievement was a culmination of hard work.

“I am very happy with how we have managed to win the league title. It is something we have always wanted to win but we were always coming close.

“But we have finally achieved the long set objective. I would like to give it to the girls for working extremely hard for this.

“The competition, especially from Harare City and Black Rhinos, was very stiff but we managed to hold our own and attain the success we have always been looking for.

“I should say we had the depth and the players were willing to sacrifice every drop of sweat for us to be where we are today.”