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Tadious Manyepo, Sports Reporter
ZDF QUEENS did not participate in Saturday’s Premier Netball League bubble, but they were the biggest beneficiaries after second-placed Black Rhinos failed to equal their points tally at the summit following a stunning defeat in Masvingo.
Having played a game more than Rhinos, leaders ZDF Queens were put on a bye, as action continued in the pulsating top-flight league with two bubbles; one in Harare and the one in Masvingo.
All eyes were on the ancient city of Masvingo where Black Rhinos needed to win their two games and take their points to 50, the same as ZDF Queens who have now played a game less than their army colleagues.
Rhinos did win their opening game 45-26 against Falcons but they were never going to complete the double over third-placed Harare City who they beat by four points in the reverse tie in Gweru.
Their showdown was dubbed the match of the weekend and it even surpassed that status with Mucheke Grounds coming to a standstill with riveting action on the courts.
Harare City led in the first quarter as they showed intention to atone for their loss in the first game but Rhinos eclipsed them by the half-time break.
Then it was all square in the penultimate 15 minutes before the municipality side got the slightest of margins right to win the contest by a single score.
“We wanted it and they wanted it too,” said Harare City captain Blessing Kahari.
“It was a very tough match as we anticipated. The 60 minutes seemed like forever but we knew what we were supposed to do.
“They beat us in the first match and we needed to return the favour in this one.
“But it was never going to be an easy stroll in the park but I am happy for the girls. They managed to do just the right thing and we got the points after getting this 30-29 win.”
With that single win in the bubble, Black Rhinos are now on 48 points, two behind title favourites ZDF Queens who have played a game less.
The pacesetters are undefeated in 25 games and they just need to win at least four of their remaining five games to secure the championship that is if Rhinos win all theirs including the blockbuster tie against ZDF Queens themselves.
Harare City started slowly and it just could be too little too late for seasoned coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki’s girls to mount a challenge for the championship title.
Now on 46 points, Harare City can only be in a position to win it if ZDF Queens capitulate miraculously against relatively easy opponents they face in the home stretch.
Elsewhere Harare District kept their top-four ambitions intact with a 100 percent result, emerging as the best out of the lot in the Harare bubble played at 2 Brigade Grounds.
Results:
City Angels 96-7 St P&P
Harare City 45-26 Falcons
St P&P 13-118 Harare City
Falcons 34-44 Black Rhinos
Black Rhinos 30-29 Black Rhinos
St P&P 17-69 Falcons
Harare District 42-26 7-Flames
Harare District 48-30 Stormers
7-Flames 44-34 Stormers
7-Flames 60-0 Waterfalls (WO)
City Angels 60-0 ZUPCO (WO)
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