Queens out of contention

For three quarters, the gallant Queens yesterday morning matched the Sunshine Girls of Jamaica pound-for-pound, but lost the plot in the final frantic moments to lose by 11 baskets at the four-nations Taini Jamison Netball Trophy.

Malawi, who finished third in group matches with two points from three matches,  are hoping for a third-place finish when they face table-anchors Fiji’s Pearls this morning while Jamaica who finished top after winning all their three matches, take on hosts and second-placed New Zealand’s Ferns in the finals.

The Queens punched above their weight to come from three baskets down to draw level 33-33 with barely three minutes to the end of the third quarter as the North Show Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, danced to their tune.

Their deft touches and exquisite passing had the crowd rising to give them a standing ovation they thoroughly deserved.

A typically assured touch inside Jamaica’s goal area gave Mvula control of the ball, then a drop of the shoulder confused her marker. In turn, Mvula found shooter Mwawi Kumwenda with a pass that oozed class and even though her balance appeared to fail Mwawi, her technique didn’t as a swing of her right arm produced the sweetest of connections—slotting the equaliser which was as soft as the cheeks of a newly-born baby.

But just when it appeared the Queens would give the sporting world a feel-good tale of the biblical David bringing down the giant that is Golliath, there was to be a sting in the tail as a lapse in concentration saw them losing 47-44 at the end of the third quarter.

And as fatigue took its toll, the Queens tumbled further in the last quarter allowing the Jamaicans to take full control and extend their lead by 11 baskets to lose 66-55.

Despite the loss, the Queens dominated shooting accuracy in all the four quarters and overall they had 90 percent against Jamaica’s 81.

However, Mwawi and captain Joana Kachilika drew positives from the loss, saying they are not far off.

Said Mwawi: “We played with hunger and we were inspired, but as fatigue caught up, we lost concentration. If we can work on our fitness levels which appears to be our weakest link, then I am confident that we can do well at the Commonwealth Games. Otherwise we are getting better with each game and I hope after 10 days of training together, we will be in shape.

“But we also need to work more on keeping possession.”

The Queens trailed the Jamaicans 15-13 in the first quarter and were down 30-26 at half time.

The starting line-up had Kumwenda, Sindi Simtowe-Msowoya, Bridget Kumwenda-Chalera, Thandi Galeta, Kachilika, Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda and Loreen Ngwira.

In the second quarter, Takondwa Lwazi went in for Chalera-Kumwenda. In the third quarter Joyce Mvula substituted Simtowe-Msowoya while in last quarter, Mvula paved the way for Simtowe-Msowoya.

Jamaica’s Vanjelee Williams was named player of the match.

The Queens lost their first match to New Zealand 55-42 on Wednesday and went on to win their second match against Fiji 67-52 on Thursday.

The tournament is part of preparations for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Queensland, Australia from April 4-15. n