That was a great win, but the real tournament starts on Thursday.
That was how Nelson Mandela Bay coach Reg Sharp responded to his team's 40-31 win over defending champions Boland on the third day of the Spar national netball championships at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University on Wednesday.
For Boland, it was their second loss of the day, after going down 39-38 to unheralded Gauteng East in their morning match.
Boland coach Mariana van Zyl was undaunted, and echoed Sharp's comment that the real tournament started on Thursday after the top three teams in each of the A-section pools qualified for the Super Six.
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"The real competition starts tomorrow, and we can put what happened today behind us," Van Zyl said.
"I have had a chance to see all the players in action, and I've tried out different combinations, so now I know what works best.
"The girls are in good spirits, but we'll just have to see that they stay mentally strong."
The bottom five teams from the two pools will play for positions seven to 11 in the national rankings.
The match between Nelson Mandela Bay and Boland was a thriller, although the Eastern Province team had their noses in front from the start.
"I think we played the big moments better, and we wanted it more," said Sharp.
"Also, as time went on and Boland were battling to score, they started making hasty decisions, leading to mistakes."
Earlier in the day, Nelson Mandela Bay romped home to a 42-25 win over the formerly mighty Western Province, who are now consigned to the bottom half of the competition.
Gauteng North also retained their unbeaten record with a 36-33 win over FS Motheo, to finish at the top of Pool B.
Once again, it was a humdinger of a match. The lead swung from side to side, without either team able to dominate.
At halftime, Gauteng North led 18-17, Motheo led 27-23 after the third quarter, and then Gauteng North pulled inexorably away, outscoring the Free State side by 13 goals to six in the final quarter.
"I never lost faith in these girls," enthused Gauteng North coach Elize Kotze.
"I knew they would fight hard to have a clean round and finish at the top of the pool."
The teams from Pool A to go through to the Super Six are Nelson Mandela Bay, Boland and Gauteng East. Gauteng North topped Pool B, but FS Motheo, Griqualand West and North South West all ended with two wins each. FS Motheo and North West South went through on goal difference. - Sapa
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