Fireballs too hot for Jaguars in Jukskei Derby

The Johannesburg-based outfit beat the Jaguars 44-26 at Ellis Park Arena to move into third position on the Telkom Netball League log standings on Monday evening.

Speaking to media after the match, Jordaan admitted that the standards have lifted from last year.

“No, you know last year is last year we won it last year and we are really happy about that. This is a new year with a new group and new competition. The standards are really lifting and all teams are great. They put up great performances so for us it’s about this year and what we need to do this year to be really good at what we do and keep our standard,” said Jordaan

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Jordaan added that she was pleased with how her side started against The Jaguars, especially the first half but was concerned about the third quarter.

“Ja, I think we had a really great start. I am really happy with the start. In the first half of the game we literally starved them from the ball and we won a lot of balls. I was not so pleased with the third quarter."

"We had a bit of a slip there. And then we came back in the fourth. But still not a 60 minute performance but we are growing and building and really happy to be walking away with a win.”

Jordaan said the first power week was tough as there were three senior players missing from the squad. 

The Fireballs will now turn their attention to their fixture against KZN Kingdom Stars on Tuesday afternoon at 15h00.

The Gauteng Jaguars head coach Rozanne Matthys admitted that her side was not good on the day against Fireballs.

“Look, we knew it was going to be a tough game for us. I think defensively again this team is really strong having 34 turnovers again and we just couldn’t convert it. So that is something that’s too expensive and something that you are going to have to look at again."

"So ja, it’s frustrating fixing things and going back and having to fix it again. It makes a huge difference if you don't  have your wing attack here and a shooter not here that was in your starting lineup in the first leg we got momentum but it's not an excuse we weren't good on the day and the beauty of TNL is that you have another game to fix it."

The Jaguars take on Aloes on Tuesday with that match set to take place at 11h00.