Diamonds remain unbeaten
Kukoma Diamonds maintained their unbeaten run in the Rainbow Paints Southern Region Netball League, when they came from behind to defeat rivals Tigresses 51-45 at Blantyre Youth Centre on Saturday.
However, it was a match that exposed umpiring flaws in the league with Tigresses being the main victims as most decisions went against them.
Diamonds were very physical especially in defence, while Tigresses shooter Sindie Simtowe-Msowoya was at her best in the first two quarters when her side led 15-12 and 24-23.
Tigresses started with Simtowe-Msowoya and Ellen Chibokho in attack with Beatrice Mpinganjira playing at wing attack while Licy Akidu-Fiwa was deployed at centre court.
In defence, Tigresses had Cathy Yikwanga, Florence Chirwa-Chagonapanja and Beauty Basiyawo.
Diamonds featured Alinafe Kamwala and Sarudzai Gondwe upfront with Bridget Kumwenda- Chalera and Eneles Mdezo- Manda feeding the attackers.
Multi-talented Sheila Dimba, seasoned Caroline Mtukule- Ngwira and Wezzie Mzemba- Msiska teamed up to form Diamonds’ back three.
Tigresses eventually gave up the lead midway through the first quarter after some fouls by Diamonds players went unpunished.
The incident took away the will power in the Tigresses camp and allowed Diamonds to bounce back. The third quarter ended 36-32 in favour of Tigresses.
Diamonds assistant Coach, Noel Mussa, said it was important to preserve their perfect record in the league.
“Even though we were trailing, we asked our players not to give up. We would like to defend the title,” Mussa said.
The win took his team’s tally to 42 points at the summit of the log table.
Tigresses Coach, Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa, refused to comment on officiation but praised her charges for an outstanding performance.
“ I cannot talk about officiation; but my girls played well despite having some injuries which gave us some hiccups. I am proud of what I saw. We strategised and things worked according to plan.
“Going forward, we will sit down and analyse what happened for us to lose. If there were any mistakes, we will rectify them. Otherwise the game was good,” Chawinga-Kaluwa said.
In other matches, Thunder Queens defeated Polytechnic 86-24 whereas Diamonds also humbled the university side 162-8.
Tigresses beat Chilomoni 75-24 while Gerald Tasaukadala defeated Young Professionals 40-22. Thunder Queens were also 49-23 winners over Serenity Stars
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