- Queens 49-57 New Zealand
The Malawi Queens and New Zealand’s Silver Ferns have met seven times before—four times in the World Netball Cup and the three times in Commonwealth Games. In all those encounters, the Queens lost. An opportunity to rewrite history availed itself Wednesday morning.
Having defeated South Africa’s Spar Proteas, Singapore’s Diamonds, Sri Lanka and the She Cranes of Uganda, the Queens went into today’s game against New Zealand for nothing less, but to inflict defeat on a team that has claimed dominance for too long.
Although the Silver Ferns went on to win the game 57-49, the second best world netball team sweated throughout the 60 minutes, and will go along way scratching their heads for escaping defeat.
Barely two minutes into the first quarter, the Silver Ferns netted 6 baskets, but it was not too long before the Queens, courtesy of netball genius Mwawi Kumwenda and Sindi Simtowe retaliated. At the end of that quarter, New Zealand led 16-13.
With a shooting accuracy of 86 percent, three ahead of the Silver Ferns in the second quarter, the Queens made sure they conceded few baskets. It ended 14-11 in favour of the Silver Ferns.
Come third quarter, the Queens exchanged beautiful passes, no wonder they led 15-12, but failed to continue with that impressive performance in the last quarter as they lost 15-10.
After regulation time, New Zealand’s Silver Ferns, touted as favourites to win the tourney, won 57-49 and the Queens have to win against Jamaica in their last game in Pool E on Thursday. Mwawi Kumwenda netted 38 times out of 42 attempts, while Sindi Simtowe missed two changes, scoring 11 baskets.
Jamaica lost to New Zealand on Tuesday and meet UgandaWednesday afternoon. The She Crames lost to Queens 59-53on Tuesday. All these teams will thus be looking for a first win.
