Golden Fireballs finally ignite in triumph

GOLDEN Fireballs coach Dr Elsje Jordaan was thrilled to finally get the monkey off their backs with a thrilling victory over the Free State Crinums in Sunday's Telkom Netball League final at the Durban ICC.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

The Gauteng side ensured the perfect end to a flawless season, having won every game en route to the grand finale, clinching a hard-fought 47-40 win over the defending champions. The result also offered redemption after falling at the semifinal stage in the past two seasons.

“We're very happy. We worked very hard for this, and to see how the players chipped in - and the management - it's a great reward after a season of really hard work. So we're really just grateful, thankful and proud,” Jordaan told Independent Media Sport after their titanic battle.

The veteran former Proteas coach placed her trust in a solid core of players, rarely making changes until late in matches — and the likes of Proteas goal attack Owethu “Sammy” Ngubane repaid that faith.

“I thought we did really well in the way we managed our squad. All 12 players contributed.

“We knew, when it came close to the end of the competition, wed need experience, and we backed our experience,’ Jordaan said.