Wales Netball
October 7, 2017
Wales made amends for yesterday’s disappointing loss to Northern Ireland with an emphatic victory over visiting side Fiji on day two of the Netball Europe Open Championships in Cardiff.
The final score of 61-40 doesn’t tell the whole tale of what was a bruising encounter between the two sides ranked seventh and eighth in the world.
Wales surged into the lead in the first quarter, amassing 9 goals and keeping a clean sheet until Fiji nabbed their first after 6 minutes. Goal Shooter, Georgia Rowe’s imperious shooting rate helped to keep Wales ticking along into the second quarter as Fiji ramped up the physicality. The Pacific Islanders managed to enjoy some decent periods of sustained possession as the half-time approached and it is testament to Wales that they maintained a 13-goal advantage into the break.
Wales made a somewhat sluggish start to the second half, with their first goal coming 4 minutes into the quarter. The spirits of the travelling Fiji support were raised however the Welsh defence was steadfast and Fiji were kept at bay, 44-31. The final act saw Wales really lift the intensity of the game, showing no signs of complacency. Fern Davies coming off the bench to make a rapid interception summed up the attitude of the players in red, as Wales took every opportunity in the closing minutes of the game. The final score of 61-40 just desserts for what was a huge statement from Trish Wilcox’s team.
Quarter scores (Wales first): 17-6; 31-18; 44-31; 61-40
Wales team: F Davies S Drane (C) B Dyke C Jones K Jones N Jones C Lewis S Llewelyn K Morgan CL Moseley G Rowe C Shaw
In the other matches on Day 2 of the Netball Europe Open Championships 2017, England beat Scotland 61-48 and England beat Northern Ireland 75-44.
(Image courtesy of IanLovell.com)
