Diamonds face Tigresses in Rainbow decider
Kukoma Diamonds this afternoon take on their age-old rivals Tigresses at Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC) in an encounter that might decide champions of the Rainbow Paints Southern Region Netball League (SRNL).
Diamonds just need a draw in their remaining two games, to snatch the league title from defending champions Tigresses and complete an overhaul of netball trophies on the domestic scene.
The Griffin Saenda-coached side is at the summit of the 10-team log-table with 48 points from 16-straight wins; six points ahead of second-placed Tigresses, who have played the same number of games.
Maximum points for Tigresses and third-placed Thunder Queens are 48, a feat Diamonds have already achieved.
“We are ready for the showdown,” said Saenda. “Beating Tigresses on Saturday will not only guarantee us a league title but it will also help us maintain a winning-streak in all competitions in a season.”
Nevertheless, Tigresses have a slender chance on their title defence bid; they need to beat Diamonds today, win their last game and hope that Diamonds will falter in their conclusive match by a big score margin. At present, Diamonds have a better basket aggregate.
Tigresses and Thunder, who take on Chilomoni Sisters, are tied on 42 points but the former have a better basket difference.
“It will be a tall order for us to retain the league title but we will try our level best to win the match so as not to lose our pride,” said Tigresses’ team manager Hellene Mpinganjira-Tasosa. n
