After the BoFiNet softball league south resumed this past Saturday, all roads headed to the National Diamond grounds on Sunday for the long awaited top of the table clash between BDF IX and POLICE IX ladies. As expected, the match was played under an electrifying atmosphere in front of jam-packed fans from in and around Gaborone.
Police went into the game two points above BDF in the southern ladies log standing, with the intention of increasing their league margin lead. They did not look back as they registered a 7-6 marginal win against BDF in a hard fought match. Police IX ladies assistant coach, Tawina Phibion said they did not start well from the beginning of the game citing insufficient time to rest during the short festive break.
“Defense wise we were poor, at some point we were trailing 5-0, but we managed to bounce back to equalize and went on to win the last inning by 7-6 which was not easy at all. At the end of the game I was impressed by my team’s efforts. That was unbelievable,” said coach Phibion.
The coach pointed out the importance of physical fitness of players more especially from festive breaks, where they lose shape.
“I believe that lots of training and mental preparation will help them regain their shape and form, so that they pick off where they left last year,” said Phibion.
For his part, BDF IX head coach Kabo Matlho said his side did well despite their loss since they were at par with their opponents.
“Luck was not on their side. I had only nine players on the field; I did not have substitutes on the bench. But all will be well in the next game. We need to improve in our physique and the offensive aspect of our team if we are to win the title. It’s not yet over and we are still on the race,” added coach Matlho.
In other ladies’ games that were played on the same day at the National Diamond grounds, Bears ladies beat Dinare 9 ÔÇô 2 in the last game of the day. On Saturday at the UB Diamond, Panthers beat UB Giants 20 ÔÇô 5 in what was a lopsided game. In Lobatse, Bears ladies made short work of BMC, beating them 14 ÔÇô 5. Meanwhile, the Northern League is expected to resume this coming weekend on the 23rd of January at Francistown while the Southern League will continue this coming weekend with games billed for National Diamond of Friday night and Saturday, as well as Lobatse on Sunday.
