Malawi finish fourth in Australia
By Mphatso Malidadi:
Malawi national netball team, the Queens, have salvaged some pride after finishing fourth out of six teams at this year’s Fast5 Netball World Series in Melbourne, Australia.
In a third-place play-off, the Queens lost 38-15 to Australia at Hisense Arena Sunday, thereby failing in their quest to reclaim the bronze medal they won in 2016.
This is Malawi’s second best finish at the tournament that started in 2009.
However, the performance was not enough to suggest that the Queens’ woes are over after losing four games and winning twice.
On Saturday, the Queens lost to Australia 29-15 and Jamaica 35-30 but managed a narrow 27- 26 win over England.
On the second and final day of the competition, Malawi beat continental rivals South Africa 33- 32 but lost to eventual champions New Zealand 36-16 before going down 38-15 to Australia.
Malawi’s performance was disjointed at times and attackers Joyce Mvula and Jane Chimaliro were a bit nervous in the absence of injured star shooter Mwawi Kumwenda.
Capturing rebounds was also a problem for the Queens in both attack and defence.
The introduction of Jessie Mazengera-Sanudi and Alinafe Kamwala at times did not make any difference.
Centre court players Thandie Galeta and Takondwa Lwazi also gave away possession as Queens recorded numerous turn overs.
At the back, defenders Lauren Ngwira, Towera Vinkhumbo- Nyirenda and Joanna Kachilika also committed unnecessary contact fouls to grant their opponents the chance to increase the tally.
Queens coaches Griffin Saenda Senior and his deputy Whyte Mulilima were not readily available for comment.
However, Netball Association of Malawi General Secretary Carol Bapu, who did not travel with the team, said the result is an indication that the Queens are rediscovering their form.
“We should not get too excited with finishing fourth. Of course the result is better than at last year’s event when we finished last. We have good players in our team and the coaches just need to work hard to get better results,” Bapu said.
Day one results (Saturday):
Australia 29 Malawi 15
South Africa 27 Jamaica 47
New Zealand 32 England 19
Australia 37 Jamaica 22
England 26 Malawi 27
New Zealand 39 South Africa 36
Jamaica 35 Malawi 30
England 25 South Africa 28
Day two results (Sunday):
Australia 32 New Zealand 34
Malawi 33 South Africa 32
Australia 28 England 29
New Zealand 22 Jamaica 23
Australia 50 South Africa 20
New Zealand 36 Malawi 16
Jamaica 42 England 37
Fifth/sixth play-off
England 35 South Africa 33
Third/fourth place play-off
Australia 38 Malawi 15
Final
New Zealand 34 Jamaica 33
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