Crinums and Tornados Hold Firm at the Summit as TNL Power Week 2 Reaches Its Climax
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Crinums and Tornados Hold Firm at the Summit as TNL Power Week 2 Reaches Its Climax

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The Telkom Netball League Power Week 2 reached its decisive midweek stretch with Free State Sonoblomo edging the Kingdom Queens 50-48 in a tense Division 2 contest at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. 

The two sides entered the clash level on fourteen points, and the result denied the Queens the chance to climb the standings.

The contest was tight throughout, the Queens leading by a single goal at the first break before an intense intercept battle developed through the second quarter. Sonoblomo edged ahead by halftime and, after the Queens briefly reclaimed the lead in the third, capitalised on a wayward midcourt pass to draw level and then stretch clear. 

Sonoblomo wing defence Kekeletso Molotsi produced a crucial intercept in the final quarter and was named Player of the Match, and although Queens centre Asanda Myeni answered with one of her own before being stretchered off injured, the Free State side held on for a two-goal win.

In the day’s other Division 2 fixtures, North West Tshukudu proved too strong for the Eastern Cape Comets, running out 57-43 winners. Tshukudu settled quickly to build a nine-goal first-quarter lead, extending it to ten by halftime as their defensive unit forced a string of unforced errors. The shooting combination of Luarike Mynhardt and Molebogeng Moeketsane thrived in converting turnovers, while wing defence Gomolemo Mashiane earned the Player of the Match award, her second of the season, as the Comets were unable to recover.

The Western Cape Tornados survived a dramatic final-Super Shot finish to edge the Limpopo Baobabs 58-57 and stay unbeaten in Division 2.
The Western Cape Tornados survived a dramatic final-Super Shot finish to edge the Limpopo Baobabs 58-57 and stay unbeaten in Division 2.
Goal attack Nicole Muzanenhamo was the Zimbabwean side's standout for the visiting Zambezi Eagles, who defeated the North West Flames.
Goal attack Nicole Muzanenhamo was her side’s standout for the visiting Zambezi Eagles, who defeated the North West Flames.

The standout Division 2 drama came in the meeting of the unbeaten Western Cape Tornados and the Limpopo Baobabs, an edge-of-the-seat encounter decided by the final Super Shot. The Tornados led 19-14 after the first quarter and went eight clear before the Baobabs, inspired by goal attack Rochelle Maree, hauled themselves back. Maree converted three two-pointers before halftime and four more during the third-quarter Super Shot period to keep her side in touch, a performance that earned her a fourth Player of the Match award of the season despite the defeat.

A breathtaking finish followed. Baobabs wing attack Jessica Matjiu snatched a brilliant intercept to bring her side within three, and a Tornados error from goal shooter Liandré Kriel made it a one-goal game before the final Super Shot. Maree then struck a two-pointer to edge the Baobabs ahead, Tornados goal attack Rochelle Rossouw answered with one of her own, and Maree responded again, before Kriel held her nerve to sink the decisive two points and secure a dramatic 58-57 win that kept the Tornados unbeaten.

Attention turned to Division 1, where the Gauteng Jaguars ended a two-match losing streak with a 52-44 victory over the Eastern Cape Aloes. The Jaguars raced into an early lead before Aloes goal shooter Zandré Smit found her rhythm to level matters, but a clinical second-quarter spell put the Jaguars in control. 

Smit again proved instrumental during the Super Shot period, sinking three two-pointers to cut the deficit, but the Jaguars weathered a third-quarter sin-bin to Thato Legodi and, with Jamie Williamson converting the bulk of the late chances, closed out the win. Captain Kyla Dames marshalled the Jaguars superbly and was named Player of the Match, a second such honour of the campaign.

The Gauteng Jaguars ended a two-match losing streak by overcoming the Eastern Cape Aloes 52-44 in a hard-fought Division 1 encounter.
The Gauteng Jaguars ended a two-match losing streak by overcoming the Eastern Cape Aloes 52-44 in a hard-fought Division 1 encounter.
The Golden Fireballs continued their strong Power Week with a commanding 47-29 victory over the Kingdom Stars in Division 1.
The Golden Fireballs continued their strong Power Week with a commanding 47-29 victory over the Kingdom Stars in Division 1.

The Golden Fireballs continued their strong Power Week with a 47-29 win over the Kingdom Stars, renewing a rivalry the Fireballs had edged by five in their previous meeting. Goal attack Nonsikelelo Mazibuko opened the scoring, and although the Stars stayed in touch early, midcourt changes from coach Dr Elsje Jordaan tightened the Fireballs’ grip. The defensive combination of Boitumelo Mahloko and Cornelia Mupenda mounted relentless pressure, while goal shooter Tinita van Dyk again led the way to claim a second Player of the Match award of the season as the Fireballs pulled comfortably clear.

There was reward, too, for the visiting Zambezi Eagles, who defeated the North West Flames 58-47 in a fixture that does not count towards the standings. Goal attack Nicole Muzanenhamo was the Zimbabwean side’s standout and was named Player of the Match, as the Eagles again showed the benefit of their valuable exposure in the league.

The headline act, once again, belonged to the Free State Crinums, who held off second-placed Southern Stings 68-52 in the day’s most anticipated clash. Both sides were clinical early, trading goals with full conversion rates midway through the opening quarter, before the Crinums regained momentum during the Super Shot to lead 17-14. 

Goal shooter Bianca Lubbe helped the log leaders open a 36-23 halftime advantage and was named Player of the Match, and although the Stings fought back to win the final quarter 17-17, the Crinums’ early dominance proved decisive.

With the Crinums still flawless at the top, the Tornados surviving their closest test yet to stay unbeaten in Division 2, and the chasing pack unable to close the gap, Power Week 2 moves into its final days with the league’s leading pacesetters holding firm.

Day 5 Results for Power Week 2 of the Telkom Netball League at Ellis Park Arena on Tuesday, 26 May 2026

D2 Free State Sonoblomo 50-48 Kingdom Queens
D2 Eastern Cape Comets 43-57 North West Tshukudu
D1 Eastern Cape Aloes 44-52 Gauteng Jaguars
D1 North West Flames 47-58 Zambezi Eagles
D1 Kingdom Stars 29-47 Golden Fireballs
D2 Western Cape Tornados 58-57 Limpopo Baobabs
D1 Southern Stings 52-68 Free State Crinums

Day 6 Fixtures on Wednesday, 27 May 2026

07h00 D2 Eastern Cape Comets v Northern Cape Diamonds
09h00 D2 North West Tshukudu v Kingdom Queens
11h00 D2 Limpopo Baobabs v Limpopo Lilies
13h00 D2 Western Cape Tornados v Mpumalanga Sunbirds
15h00 D1 Southern Stings v Kingdom Stars
17h00 D1 Free State Crinums v North West Flames
19h00 D2 Kingdom Queens v Northern Cape Diamonds

Original Copy: Kgotla PR for Netball SA, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: The Free State Crinums held off second-placed Southern Stings 68-52 to extend their unbeaten 2026 record and tighten their grip on top spot, as the Telkom Netball League Power Week 2 continued at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. All Photos: Netball SA

Photo 2 Caption: The Western Cape Tornados survived a dramatic final-Super Shot finish to edge the Limpopo Baobabs 58-57 and stay unbeaten in Division 2.

Photo 3 Caption: Goal attack Nicole Muzanenhamo was the Zimbabwean side’s standout for the visiting Zambezi Eagles, who defeated the North West Flames.

Photo 4 Caption: The Gauteng Jaguars ended a two-match losing streak by overcoming the Eastern Cape Aloes 52-44 in a hard-fought Division 1 encounter.

Photo 5 Caption: The Golden Fireballs continued their strong Power Week with a commanding 47-29 victory over the Kingdom Stars in Division 1.

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