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Sikhumbuzo Moyo in Hwange
ZIMBABWE Netball Association president Letticia Chipandu yesterday hailed Hwange residents for coming out in large number to support netball competitions at the ongoing Zimbabwe National Youth Games.

Speaking from the Old Grounds netball court, Chipandu said it was pleasing to note the large number of people coming out to support the girl child, an indication that the game was alive and well in the coal mining town.

“You can see for yourself that the turnout is just out of this world. I am very impressed,” said Chipandu, while watching an Under-18 encounter between Bulawayo and Matabeleland North which was convincingly won 28-5 by Bulawayo.

The Bulawayo Queens registered their second win of the games so far after opening up their campaign with a 25-12 victory over Manicaland to underscore their title credentials.

Host province Matabeleland North are finding the going tough in the age group after losing their two games; first going down 8-23 to Mashonaland East before the Bulawayo outcome. However, Matabeleland North are doing well in the Under-23 age group where they beat games debutants ZITISU 21-5 before accounting for Midlands 24-11 in their second game.

It’s still an open game in the Open age group, which features members of the uniformed forces, Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services and Zimbabwe Republic Police.

In the first game ZNA fell 8-16 to their air force counterparts, while ZRP beat ZPCS 26-22. The prison officers, however, turned on the power in their second game to beat ZNA 34-8.

“The level of competition is high. The standard is well above what we had initially thought or expected and the youngsters are learning a thing or two from their seniors, which is good for the future of the game,” said netball competition director Alex Masimba.

Netball results

Under-18: Mashonaland East 23-8 Matabeleland North, Bulawayo 28-5 Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South 13-24 Mashonaland West, Bulawayo 25-12, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central 10-21 Harare, Mashonaland Central 5-14 Manicaland, Mashonaland East 10-19 Masvingo, Matabeleland South 5-22 Mashonaland Central

Under-23: Matabeleland North 21-5 ZITISU, Bulawayo 27-4 Masvingo, Midlands 12-25 Matabeleland South, Harare 25-11 Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East 8-23 Bulawayo, Matabeleland North 24-11 Midlands,

Open: ZNA 8-16 Air Force of Zimbabwe, ZPCS 22-26 ZRP, ZNA 6-34 ZPCS.