Tag: Ndlela Secondary School

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Mlilo Combined School live up to their name in netball cup final: Too hot to handle!

The best netball talent was on display at the PG Bison Knockout Cup 2023 tournament at the Kempville Stadium playing court on Saturday 25 March 2023 in Mkhondo. Mlilo Combined School from Rustplaas, won their first trophy while producing breath-taking performances. They lived up to their name -means fire in isiZulu- by playing exciting fast netball which was literally fire to their opponents. They won by 15 to 10 against 2022 runners-up Amadlelo Aluhlaza Secondary in the final. A total of eight schools took part in the tournament featuring mostly secondary schools.

The Mkhondo Netball Association took charge of the netball tournament logistics. They facilitated the draw and fixtures, provided umpires and chose round robin plus knockout as the format of the netball tournament. The games were played in two halves of seven (7) minutes each. The court was in perfect shape. PG Bison paid for the renovation and painting of the playing court surface. The weather was cool with the sun occasionally appearing. The only heat came from the netball court. Mlilo Combined was hot as their name suggest at this year’s netball tournament. They started slowly in Group B against Inqubeko Secondary whom they beat 10-8 in the first match.

Nosipho Vilakazi of Amadlelo Aluhlaza was chosen as the best netball player of the PG Bison KO Cup 2023 at the prize giving was held at Kempville Stadium.

They met Amadlelo Aluhlaza in the second game and won 6-4, it was very close match. In the last group match they faced Kempsiding Combined beating them 12-3. Amadlelo Aluhlaza Secondary finished as runners up to Mlilo Combined in Group B. They won 13-0 against Kempsiding Combined and 12-5 against Inqubeko Secondary.

Group A was dominated by Ndlela Secondary School who were favourites and defending champions. Like Mlilo they won all their Group A matches to qualify for the semi-finals. They walloped Salem Combined 13-0 then beat PR Combined 7-3 and thrashed Ubuhlebuzile Secondary 7-3. They finished on top of group A scoring a total of 29 points in the process.

“As PG Bison we are delighted to be part of this a great tournament where girls showcase their netball talent. We will be here for more years to come if things keep like this.”

The first semi-final pitted defending champions Ndlela Secondary against Amadlelo Aluhlaza Secondary. Amadlelo triumphed over their rivals scoring 8 points to 4, knocking out the defending champions. They owned the tournament favorites tag on the way to the final. The 2022 runners up Ubuhlebuzile Secondary were looking at doing better this year. Unfortunately for them they had to go past the on form Mlilo Combined. The task proved to be too hot to handle for Ubuhlebuzile Secondary as Mlilo Secondary registered 24 against 8 on the scoresheet.

Ncamisile Nxumalo from Mlilo Combined won Best Shooter at the PG Bison KO Cup 2023 Netball prize giving held at Kempville Stadium.

The final between Mlilo Combined vs Amadlelo Aluhlaza produced some of the best netball matches to be seen in Mkhondo. Mlilo was just too hot and well-prepared for this final. Amadlelo Aluhlaza wanted the trophy by all means, they wanted to do better than the 4th place finish last year. The game was an end-to-end match. It was fast and exciting. Mlilo Combined School scored a total of 15 goals to Amadlelo Aluhlaza’s 10 to win the cup for the first time.

The champions walked away with a trophy, gold medals, 2 netball kits and R15 000 cash. The runners up Amadlelo Aluhlaza Secondary received silver medals, 2 netball kits and R10 000 cash. The 3rd place finishers Ndlela Secondary received bronze medals and R5000 cash. There were also individual prizes in the tournament. Ncamisile Nxumalo from Mlilo Combined won Best Shooter of The Tournament. The Defender of The Tournament was won by Palesa Nkambule who is doing grade 11 Amadlelo Aluhlaza Secondary. Grade 11 player pupil Nosipho Vilakazi of Amadlelo Aluhlaza was chosen as the best player of the tournament. It was the best sport tournament with great benefits to the clubs. The game was enjoyed by PG Bison executives and managers who watched the best talent on display from the side-lines of the court.

Palesa Nkambule won best defender at the PG Bison KO Cup 2023 Netball prize giving was held at Kempville Stadium.

The game found itself new fans who vowed that the tournament must continue. One of them was Communications Manager Miss Nombuso Mwelase. She was impressed by the standard of netball played by the girls. She said the girls played to tier netball and suggested that they must play a netball league. “I am really impressed by the way the girls play netball here. They do understand the rules and respect umpires. As PG Bison we are delighted to be part of this great tournament where girls showcase their netball talent. We will be here for more years to come if things keep like this.” she said.

Apart from the prizes won PG Bison also provided transport and brand-new playing attire for all participants. The fans at the stadium were also catered for in terms of food and drinks. There was also a VIP section for PG Bison management including guests. Kids played in jumping castles and received party packs as well. The safety in the stadium was guaranteed by security personnel who made sure intoxicated people were not let inside the stadium. It was a family affair which rewarded everyone, the clubs, players, referees, fans, commentators and community at large. A great contribution to the development of sports.