Towera’s team in 7th consecutive defeat

Malawi Queens goalkeeper Towera Vinkhumbo – Nyirenda’s team Strathclyde Sirens continue to struggle in the United Kingdom Netball Super League (NSL), having suffered their seventh-straight loss at the weekend.

They are the only side yet to register victory in the 10-team league and are at the bottom without a point.

In their latest match on Friday, they went down 36-72 to Loughborough Lightning.

Ironically, statistics on NSL website www.netballsl.com show that Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda has not featured in Sirens’ last six league games, having only played in their first outing on February 17 when they lost 49-53 to Team Bath.

In an interview yesterday, Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda admitted that she indeed missed some games due to injury.

“Yes, I missed games due to injury. I was in rehab from round two and the good thing is that I will be back this week,” she said.

In a related development, Malawi Queens’ shooter Joyce Mvula on Saturday night helped her NSL team Leeds Rhinos to move a step up to eighth on the log table as she put up an impressive performance in a 64-60 victory over Surrey Storm.

Mvula was named player-of-the-match as she scored 43 baskets at 93 percent shooting accuracy as the Rhinos chalked their second win in seven games.

So far, the lofty shooter is third on the NSL scorers’ chart with 264 baskets in seven games and is just three baskets behind the second leading scorer Sigrid Burger of Severn Stars. Mary Cholhok of Loughborough Lightning leads the pack with 325 baskets.

In an interview yesterday, the former Blue Eagles Sisters star said she is happy that her performance has not only helped her rise on the scorers’ chart, but also pushed her team to move a step up to eighth.

She attributed her team’s improved performance to good communication and coordination.

“Most of us the players are new to the team and we struggled with communication and coordination in our first few games. I am happy that now we have gelled and we are an improved side,” she said.