| Fadhil Yunus |
HER Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah guided Ivy League to the final of the 9th Setia Motors Netball Open for Women Challenge Trophy 2016 where they were narrowly beaten 25-23 by Setia Motors at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex yesterday.
Her Royal Highness led Ivy League to yet another final this year having reached the Royal Brunei Police Force Sports Council Netball Open Championship title decider in September.
However, it was double heartbreak for Ivy League after suffering their second consecutive final loss having fallen short against NY13 (national Under-21 team) in the last edition of the Setia Motors tournament.
Ivy League, one of the top local netball teams in the country, stormed into the final after preserving an unbeaten record in the group stages before successfully negotiating a 12-9 victory over Angel Netball Team in the semi-finals.
Ivy League has been wary of the threat Netballisus, Angel Netball Team and Strives XOXO possess but it was Setia Motors, bolstered by the inclusion of national players Siti Norsaihah and Dayangku Khalisha Pengiran Abdul Rahman, which made a huge impression topping the group stage with four out of five wins.
The newly crowned winners, who assembled a star studded squad of their own, continued their fine form on the court with a solid 16-9 victory over Sixty9 in the last-four phase.
Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah with her medal. – KHAIRIL HASSAN
Setia Motors team manager Norlizawati Haji Md Kassim highlighted that teamwork was key to the team’s victory.
“The team gave a full commitment to the cause. Teamwork really helped the team to win,” she said in an interview after the victory.
The team manager expressed her delight of the result having beaten a strong team of Ivy League’s stature.
“The team is very happy with the result and we did not expect it,” continued the team manager.
Norlizawati also singled praise to their wing attack and the goal attack which she described as an important member in the squad who converted the baskets.
However, Norlizawati also heaped praise to every member in the squad for their contributions and commitments in their quest to capture the title.
“The goal attack is very important because it is a position where she will be the one who score the goals,” she added.
Setia Motors has six recognised national players in their squad but only three are allowed to play on the court.
Angel Netball Team claimed third place after defeating Sixty9 15-6 in the playoff.
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