The Free State Crinums ended TNL Power Week 2 on a high, with victory over defending champions the Golden Fireballs at Ellis Park Arena on Saturday.
Image: Netball SA
The Free State Crinums passed arguably their biggest test of this year's Telkom Netball League (TNL), defeating defending champions the Gauteng Golden Fireballs 47-37 on their home turf at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.
The heavyweight clash on the penultimate day of Power Week 2 was a repeat of last year's final, which was won by the Fireballs.
The Gauteng side went through the entire 2025 season unbeaten — a feat the Crinums are now on course to match. The Free State outfit have won all of their matches across the opening two Power Weeks and head into the Power Week 3 play-offs in red-hot form.
Once again, their defence laid the platform for victory, with veteran Karla Pretorius leading from the front as the Crinums stormed into a commanding 27-17 half-time lead.
The Fireballs responded strongly after the break, reducing the deficit to 29-23 early in the third quarter. However, another scoring surge from the Crinums saw them restore control and take a 38-25 advantage into the final period.
They maintained their composure in the closing stages to secure a deserved 10-point victory, dominating both circle feeds and goal attempts. The only blemish on an otherwise impressive display was a high penalty count, something they will look to address ahead of the semi-finals.
“I was particularly happy with the third quarter because we've been struggling a little bit in that one, so the girls did well,” said Crinums head coach Martha Mosoahle-Samm in her post-match television interview. “I think that's where we started pulling it through and going into double digits, so I'm quite happy with the performance today.
“I think the Fireballs brought their A-game, so well done to them. But congratulations to my girls. Going unbeaten so far and heading into the top four unbeaten, I'm very proud of them. They really knew the mission today and they played well.”
Fireballs coach Dr Elsje Jordaan praised her team's improvement after a difficult start to Power Week 1 in Durban.
“We turned enough balls and struggled in front, but we know where our problem is and we'll work hard to fix it,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Southern Stings completed a season double over the Gauteng Jaguars, with their 56-45 victory securing third place in the final round-robin standings ahead of the semi-finals.