The Jaguars can claim a unique sports record, which is to have played in every final of the National Netball League.
It is difficult to think of another South African team in any sport that can boast of having played ten consecutive finals. The Jaguars have been victorious on six occasions.
But as it is said, all good things must end . . . or not. There can be no arguing that the Jaguars are with their back against the wall after the Telkom Netball League’s first power week. After six games, they are third on the log, losing one game and playing to a draw in another.
The Crinums top the log with 11 points, followed by the Fireball with 10. The Jaguars have 9 points after playing to a draw against the Crinums and losing to the Fireballs.
According to Tuks’s Kamogelo Maseko, who plays as a goal attack for the Jaguars, writing them off would be a mistake.
“As the defending champions, the Jaguars are under pressure. We are the team with the target on our backs. Everyone is at their best when they play against us. But I believe diamonds are formed under pressure. So watch this space. It is guaranteed that a different Jaguars team will play the second power week (31 May to 5 June).
“The thing with the Jaguars is that we make sure that we learn from our mistakes. We will analyse the games we played to see where we erred and plan how to improve.
“The good thing that came off the first power week is that, as players, we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses better now as we have seen each other under pressure. We know who can handle what.”
Asked what she brings to the team as a player, the Tuks player said, “I see myself as a playmaker that can bring calmness and composure to a game. I rate myself as a player who can control our team’s play when we are attacking. I also think I bring leadership to the court as I don’t believe in giving up until the final whistle. I tend to think this rubs off on my teammates.”
