Kukoma Diamonds win Airtel Money Trophy
Tigresses Sisters on Saturday failed to defend the K360 million Airtel Money Netball Trophy after going down 37-40 against fellow giants Kukoma Diamonds.
This year’s Airtel Money Netball Championship was staged at the Don Bosco in the Capital Lilongwe.
The two teams stormed the final after overcoming Lilongwe giants Civonets and Blue Eagles Sisters during semi-final games played at the same venue on Friday, May 20, 2016.
Tiga, as Tigresses are fondly called were the first to book a slot in the final after narrowly beating determined Civonets 40-37 in an exciting semi-final, which saw the two sides running neck-to-neck from the first up to the last quarter.
Diamonds reached the finals after beating Blue Eagles Sisters 47-34 baskets .
In the finals played on Saturday, Tigresses gave their supporters false hopes as they took an 8-7 lead in the first quarter.
Things turned around in the second quarter which ended 18-14 in favour of Diamonds who went on to maintain their lead in the third quarter by 31-27 baskets before wrapping up with 34-47 margin in the final quarter.
At the end of the game, Diamonds Coach Noel Mussa expressed delight with the win and thanked his ladies for producing a gallant fight.
On the other hand, Tigresses Coach Peace Chawinga Kalua and Team Manager Charles Mhango blamed the officiating team for favouring the Diamonds.
In an early kick off, Blue Eagles Sisters beat Civo Nets 49-47 to finish on third position.
During normall time, the game ended 35-35 and had to go into extra time.
Diamonds went home with K8 million for emarging champions, Tigresses got K3 million while Blue Eagles Sisters pocketed home K1.7 million.
Tigresses remain the only team to have won the league two times since it was introduced three years ago aiming at unearthing netball talent.
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