EP Aloes off to great start in tournament

THE Eastern Cape Aloes got their Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League campaign off to a perfect start at the weekend with a 37-30 win over the Kingdom Stars at the Durban University of Technology.

The Stars started slowly, taking five minutes to score their first goal, but fought their way back into the match, with the support of a vocal home crowd, to lead 11-7 at the end of the first quarter.

However, the Aloes hit back in the second quarter and the two teams were level at 17-all at half time.

The Eastern Cape side took control of the match in the third quarter, winning it by 11 goals to six.

It was sweet victory for the Aloes, who lost heavily to the Stars in their opening match last year.

“I think our fitness counted for a lot. We were able to maintain the intensity throughout,” Aloes coach Des Neville said.

“Thanks to the Eastern Cape netball academy, we have had more frequent training camps, and the players from the two provinces – Border and Eastern Province – have bonded well.

“Having Protea Lauren-Lee Christians, who moved from the Crinums to the Aloes, has also helped because of her experience.”

The new coach of the Stars, Madri Maritz, said she was disappointed to have lost the opening match.

“We have lost a couple of our top players, and we have a lot of young players,” she said.

“But I was pleased that we were able to turn over a number of balls, and our circle defence was good.”