She Cranes rolled off their Netball Diamond Challenge down in South Africa on a poor tune losing 55-50 to President’s XII on Sunday at the KwaZulu Natal’s University of Durban.
The President’s XII is the second string team representing the hosts South Africa together with the main team SPAR Proteas
The hosts put their intention clear from the onset and were 3-0 up before the Ugandans could put a mark. They went on to win their first quarter 16-13 and extended their advantage to 29-24 as at halftime.
She Cranes re-energized and won the third quarter 15-13 to reduce the gap to only three goals but were unlucky to lose 13-11 to the hard fighting South Africans.
In the other opening day game, defending champions SPAR Proteas thumped Zimbabwe 70-39 to go top of the ranking table as early.
The games continue on Monday with a Herculean task for the Ugandans who will be up against tournament favorites SPAR Proteas while the hosts second side President’s XII clash Zimbabwe.
Lineups:
President’s XII Team: C Dreyer.R, GA Lombard.L, WD Mdau.T, GD Sithebe.S, GK Steyn.R, WA Uys. N, GS Venter. I, Reserves: Marlize de Bruin, Tanya Mostert, Nobubele Phuza, Alicia Puren, Thuli Nhleko, Elsunet du Plessis
Coach: Dorette Badenhorst
Uganda Team: C Meeme. R, GA Eyaru. I, WD Nanyonga. F, GD Akello. I, GK Nanteza. A, WA Nakacwa. H, GS Nanyonga. R, Reserves: Nambi. S, Namirembe. A, Nakiwu. A, Oyella. S, Soiga. M
Coach: Rashid Mubiru