The Queens finished second on the standings with 11 points - just three behind leaders Western Cape Tornados - at the end of Power Week 1, firmly positioning themselves as title contenders.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Mthembu says the team now needs to improve on their discipline in attack ahead of the second leg.

“I am quite pleased with how the first leg went overall. Finishing second with five wins shows consistency and strong effort from the girls. There are still areas for improvement, and our main goal going into the second leg is to sharpen our discipline on attack and build on the momentum we have created so far,” said Mthembu.

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The KZN side closed off their campaign with a 60 - 48 victory over the Eastern Cape Comets. Despite the convincing win, Mthembu admitted the match posed a great test.

“The final match was a real test for us. There were moments where our combinations worked really well and we created good opportunities, although there were a few breakdowns in communication. It’s something I have noted. Having senior players like Nolwazi Mathe has really helped in guiding the team in the right direction,” added Mthembu.

Mthembu also praised the home support during the first leg and is now looking ahead to the next phase of the competition in Johannesburg.

“Playing at home is always a great experience for the girls. The support gave them a real boost and added to the energy on court. We truly appreciate the backing from all KZN netball fans. Looking ahead to Ellis Park, we are excited for the challenge. It’s a venue with a great atmosphere, and the girls will need to adapt. I believe we have won many hearts along the way, and we are looking forward to putting in strong performances and continuing to grow as a team,” she expressed.

Teams	M	W	L	PTS	NET RR
United States of America	32	21	10	43	0.693
Scotland	32	16	10	38	0.631
Netherlands	28	14	10	32	0.164
Oman	28	14	11	31	0.018
Nepal	29	11	16	24	-0.028
Namibia	29	11	16	24	-0.424
Canada	28	10	14	24	-0.203
United Arab Emirates	24	7	17	14	1.016

Finished ICC Mens Cricket World Cup League 2