THE two local sides – Youngsters and Sky Scrappers – who were representing the country at the Annual South African Netball Club Championship in Sasol South Africa from September 13 to 15 returned home recently with some encouraging results.

Youngsters, reigning first division champions and winners of last year's Cup competition, were drawn in the A-league alongside the top four South African Clubs, Tucks, PE Tech, Wits and Rau.

As for Skyscrapers, last year's league runners-up they played in the B1-league featuring, Phosphate, Sasol, Untouchables and New Balance.

The two-day competition was played on round robin format, whereby each team had to play against each other once.

The team with the maximum number of points after the four matches were declared champions.

Youngsters captained by Rita Padayachy managed to win their only match against Wits on a 43-17 to finish fourth in the A-league with two points.

The local champions fell 14-52 to Rau, 11-66 to PE Tech and 70-12 to Tuks.

As  for Skyscrapers they were unable to taste victory in all four matches as they lost 14-43 to New Balance, 18-24 to Sasol 20-33 to Phosphate and 40-25 to Untouchables to finish last in group 1B.

According to Ms Dorothy Isidore, Seychelles Netball Association (SNA) secretary, the competition was of a very high level and she is satisfied with the local teams performance.

"The competition was tough as all of the clubs comprised very tall, quick and talented players which made it difficult for our girls to keep up with the pace of the game. But since this was our first outing in 30 years I think that the local players gave a very good account of themselves," she said.

She added that such competition was very important as it would help raise the level of our players who lacked international match practise.

Asked about the future plans of the SNA, Ms Isidore had this to say: