The Free State Crinums are the Telkom Netball League champions for a fourth time following a thrilling final in Johannesburg on Wednesday night.

The Crinums broke their eight-year title drought by the narrowest of margins, but in their two previous encounters between the two teams at the TNL, one game ended in a draw while in the second match the Jaguars edged the game by two goals.

The Crinums scored a last second goal at the Ellis Park Arena to beat the Gauteng Jaguars 47-46 and end their reign as the queens of netball in South Africa.

The final was deadlocked at 10-10 after the first quarter, but the team from Bloemfontein managed to hold a 24-20 lead at the half time break.

At the end of the third quarter the Free State held a one goal lead at 34-33.

The Jaguars managed to take the lead in the fourth quarter, but right at the death as the team from Pretoria attempted to force the game into overtime, the Crinums snatched victory.

A turnover right at the death by Refiloe Nketsa was a turning point with the clock ticking down and this allowed the Free State to edge back into the lead.

The Crinums coach, Martha Mosoahle-Samm, lauded her team for fighting to the end.

“We told them ‘Girls, we are going to have to play right up until the 60th minute', and that is exactly what happened,” said Mosoahle-Samm.

“At the 58th minute we were two goals down and we knew we had to take one back, and we did it.

“I really have to commend the Jaguars and they played like champions. We knew it was going to be hard to play against them and they have the biggest BMT.

“We needed to talk to our youngsters and make sure that they are also tuned in and realise how big this game was.”

Karla Pretorius was named as the player of the tournament, while Nketsa was named as the middle court player of the tournament.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport