(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
MANZINI – Roars echoed through Mavuso as Green Lightning stormed to glory, dethroning champions and sealing a dramatic double triumph in Eswatini’s elite netball league.
Lightning Ladies delivered a statement of dominance, dethroning Royal Flames to be crowned champions of the 2025/26 SBS Elite Netball League in both the female and male categories, two days ago. The triumph marks a significant shift at the summit, with Flames seeing their two-season reign in the women’s division brought to an emphatic end, while Lightning’s men successfully defended their crown.
In the decisive women’s clash, Green Lightning edged Royal Flames 57-52 in a tightly-contested encounter to seal the title, underlining their growing supremacy in the domestic game.
Their male counterparts reinforced their dominance, overcoming Royal Flames 41-25 to retain their championship and complete a memorable double for the club.
Earlier in the day, controversy had threatened to overshadow proceedings as Vixens defeated Buffaloes 41-30 in a men’s fixture played under protest — a result that ultimately influenced the final standings.
Buffaloes had lodged a complaint prior to the match, arguing that Vixens goal shooter Ncamiso Vilakati had not been properly cleared from Green Lightning.
On the court, however, Vixens were clinical. They led 10-8 at the end of the first quarter before stretching their advantage to 21-13 at halftime. Buffaloes responded in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 28-22, but Vixens finished strongly, pulling away to secure a convincing 41-30 victory. In another women’s fixture, Buffaloes overcame ABC Academy 46-38, but the result proved insufficient to alter the title race, which ultimately belonged to Green Lightning.
The SBS Elite Netball League campaign, backed by E150 000 sponsorship from SBS, concluded with high drama, shifting power dynamics and a new dominant force firmly established.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
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