Namibia Correctional Services opened up a two-point gap at the top of the MTC Netball Premier League log after collecting maximum points in the weekend’s matches at the Kuisebmond Stadium at Walvis Bay.
In a top-of-the-log clash on Saturday, NCS, who won the title in 2021, made a strong comeback to beat last year’s champions Mighty Gunners 40-37.
Gunners took a 9-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and by half time were still leading by a point at 20-19.
NCS, however, upped the tempo after the break to go 29-28 ahead by the third quarter, while they moved 33-30 ahead early in the final quarter.
Gunners managed to fight back to draw level at 36-all, but NCS once again pulled away to complete a three-point victory.
On Sunday, NCS found the going easier as they thumped Rebels 60-19 to open up a two-point lead at the top of the log. NCS dominated from the start, going 8-3 ahead by the first quarter, 25-8 by halftime, and 39-16 by the third quarter before completing a comprehensive 41-point victory.
That win put NCS at the top of the log on 26 points from 15 matches, followed by Namibian Navy and Otjozondjupa Nampol on 24 points each.
Navy remained in the title hunt after collected maximum points against Otjozondjupa Nampol and Wanderers.
On Saturday they convincingly beat Nampol 58-37, after pulling away in the second half. The match was still evenly balanced at halftime with Navy leading 25-24, but they pulled away to go 43-31 ahead in the third quarter, before completing an 11-point victory.
On Sunday, Navy found the going tougher before beating Wanderers 47-43. Navy led 13-10 by the end of the first quarter, but Wanderers closed the gap to 26-25 by halftime.
The teams were still neck-and-neck with Navy leading 36-35 by the end of the third quarter, but Navy pulled away in the final quarter to complete a four-point win.
Otjozondjupa Nampol, meanwhile, bounced back with a 58-24 victory against Fatou on Sunday, after leading 15-8, 27-14 and 43-16 after the first three quarters.
That win put Nampol level with Navy on 24 points, although the latter remain second due to a better goal difference.
Mighty Gunners and Wanderers follow on 22 points each, although Gunners have a match in hand on the leaders.
On Saturday, Wanderers beat Young Stars 53-36 after taking a decisive lead from the start. They led 15-10 at the end of the first quarter, 31-20 by halftime and 42-28 by the third quarter, before completing a 17-point victory.
Afrocat Lions follow in sixth place on 18 points after completing two victories on Saturday.
In their early match they beat Fatou 43-18, after streaking ahead from the start. By the end of the first quarter they were already 10-1 ahead, while they went 24-4 up by halftime.
Fatou managed a bit of a revival in the second half, but they were always playing catch-up as the Lions went 35-11 ahead before completing a 25-point victory.
In their second match later on Saturday, Afrocat Lions received stiffer opposition before beating Young Stars 39-34.
Stars edged into an 11-10 lead by the end of the first quarter, but the Lions took a decisive 25-21 lead by halftime. They went 33-27 ahead by the third before completing a five-point victory.
Tigers are also on 18 points after collecting maximum points over the weekend.
On Saturday they repelled a late challenge by Eleven Arrows before winning their encounter 48-44.
Tigers went 14-9 ahead by the end of the first quarter; 23-18 by halftime and 37-29 by the third quarter, before withstanding a late comeback by Arrows to win the match by four points.
On Sunday, Tigers comfortably beat Fatou 59-25, after leading 18-6, 33-10 and 49-14 by the end of the first three quarters.
Eleven Arrows had a good weekend, collecting maximum points against Rebels and Young Stars to move up to eighth position on 10 points.
Against Rebels they lead 10-6, 27-16 and 41-22 by the end of the first three quarters, before closing out a 49-29 victory, while they beat Young Stars 59-48 after leading 16-12, 30-24 and 44-34 by the end of the first three quarters.
