The University of Johannesburg (Uni Jozi), the 2017 winners of the Champions Cup had their chances of once again reaching the podium as gold medallists dashed as the highly motivated Delfos of Johannesburg won the final against them in straight sets (3-0)
(25-21; 25-21; 25-18).
After an absence of several years being among the medallists in the country’s premier inter club championship Matthew Govender’s team oozed with confidence as they kept abreast of Uni Jozi through out the final.
When Uni Jozi’s skipper, Keifer Govender fired the first salvo in the opening set, Delfos’ foreign player, Martin Charlie Zulu responded immediately to remind his opponents that he will be the person to contend with. Zulu was in superb form wreaking havoc among opposition blockers through out the tournament. Delfos’ Colin Pocock’s skilful placements of attacks earned his team valuable points. With power attackers, Keifer Govender, Nathan Earnest and Mtha Ndlovu firing on all cylinders Uni Jozi closed the points gap to (22-20) adrift of challengers, Delfos . Martin Zulu’s scorching attacks from position 4 gave Delfos a 24-21 lead. A rushed spike from Keifer Govender handed the opening set to Delfos by a 25-21 margin.
Continuing with their winning ways Delfos marched on taking a quick 11-6 lead. Keifer Govender and Nathan Earnest soldiered on to level the scores at 13-13 and later at
20-20.
Crowd favourite Martin Zulu stepped up “to the plate” and blasted his way to close the set with a 25-21 score line.
With a 2 sets to 0 deficit things became decidedly uncomfortable for the defending champions whose every effort to turn the tables on Delfos proved fruitless. With Quellin Govender’s perfect sets to his attack force Delfos romped home with a 25-18 win to pick up the coveted Champions Cup silverware.
DONOVAN NAIR
VSA MEDIA