Defending Rainbow Netball League champions Correctional Queens delivered a ruthless attacking display after hammering ZRP Bulawayo 103-12 and ZRP Vixens 102-9 in a high-scoring double-header at Chikurubi Training School grounds yesterday.
The wardresses dominated both fixtures from start to finish to maintain pressure in the title race following their recent draw against rivals Glow Petroleum.
Correctional Queens set the tone in the opening match with a blistering 103-12 rout of ZRP Bulawayo, as Goal Shooter Pretty Banda led the scoring charts with 54 goals to claim the Golden Hand award. Edinah Nyamhazha controlled the mid-court exchanges and was deservedly named Player of the Match.
The hosts carried the same intensity into the second encounter, sweeping aside ZRP Vixens 102-9. Tafadzwa Mawango took the Golden Hand award after another sharp shooting performance, while Mercy Mahuma earned the Player of the Match accolade for her solid defensive work and quick transitions.
Head Coach Faith Matanganyidze said the team’s game plan centred on maximising their aerial advantage in the shooting circle.
“My secret is that I have tall players, especially my Goal Shooters. It is always our strategy, especially when playing with teams with average heights,” said Matanganyidze.
She said the matches also gave the technical team an opportunity to expose junior players Audrey Chitesa and Ottilia Tafadzwa Chikwanha to top-flight action.
“The introduction of two juniors in today’s matches was a way of grooming them for the future. The idea is for them to gain confidence, especially from these types of matches which are usually not that tense,” she said.
Matanganyidze praised the squad for sticking to the tactical approach worked on during training sessions.
“I am impressed by the girls’ performance because they implemented almost everything we practised during the week,” she said.
Mahuma said the team had to regroup after a slow start in the second match before taking full control of the contest.
“The game was okay. At first, they forced us to play their type of play, but later we managed to revert back to ours and managed to score more than one hundred goals, which is always our target,” said Mahuma.
She said the Player of the Match award reflected the effort of the entire squad.
“I was shocked to be nominated as the player of the match,” she said.
Club Executive Member Principal Correctional Officer Tinashe Magedhi said the team had responded strongly after surrendering points against Glow Petroleum.
“Overall, the team’s performance was good. Taking a look at our previous match, which we drew against our arch-rivals, Glow Petroleum, every match is now a must-win and with a bigger margin. Today, I was happy we managed to score centuries of goals in both matches,” said Magedhi.
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