Tigresses stand in Thunder’s way

Tigresses face Thunder Queens at Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC) this afternoon as the Queens search for a realistic chance to conclude the Rainbow Paints Southern Region Netball League (SRNL) first round on second place.

Queens have not finished second t the end of the league’s first round for almost a decade, but they will break the jinx if they beat Tigresses.

Their loss would give Tigresses an opportunity to pull up their socks on the title hunt as they have a game in hand against struggling Polytechnic Sisters tomorrow. Queens are second on the 10-team log-table with 21 points from eight games while Tigresses, whose maximum points at the end of the round are 22, are third with 16 points.

Defending champions Kukoma Diamonds finished their first round fixtures on 27 points after nine-straight wins.

Queens coach Christina Mkwanda-Nsinji yesterday said they are determined to cement the second place.

“It’s a fact that Tigresses are our bigger opponents but we are more than ready to beat them and maintain the second position. Our objective is to end the title drought this season and we know that would be hard to achieve if we lose tomorrow [today]. We have had enough of suffering,” she said.

On her part, Tigresses team manager Helene Mpinganjira-Tasosa said they are prepared for battle.

“We do not underrate Queens as they have improved a lot in terms of performance. However, we will fight hard to get maximum points although most of our key players would not be available for the encounter because of school,” she said.

According to SRNL general secretary Annie Hanjahanja-Billie, the last game of the first round will be played on Sunday when Prison Sisters take on Polytechnic Sisters.