NS EXCLUSIVE: The Daily Liverpool Scoop - Day 10

Compiled by Andrew Kennedy, Katrina Nissen and Jenny Sinclair

Day 10 – Sunday 21st July

Congratulations to New Zealand’s Silver Ferns – Netball World Cup Champions 2019

Image May Bailey

What a big day of finals! With the audience glued to their seats, and the media like-wise, we weren’t roaming the crowds looking for stories. But we hope you enjoy these photos of some of the emotions around the big day.

WHAT CAUGHT OUR EYE

Hey Jude! The mascot has been keeping the crowd entertained during half time breaks, with six people donning the suit. It’s hot, it’s heavy, and the “inmates” are totally unable to hear what’s going on. Despite this, Jude showed some pretty decent dance moves out on the floor.

Photo: May Bailey

Congratulations to Karla Pretorius who was named MVP of the tournament.

Image May Bailey

Australia and New Zealand contested the World Cup Final for the seventh time (1991, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019). Australia has claimed five of those seven World Cup titles with New Zealand’s previous win coming in 2003 in Jamaica. Australia and South Africa contested the Final in 1995 with Australia winning 68-48.

Retirements

There’s little doubt that rumours of international retirements will start to swirl now that the Netball World Cup is done and dusted. Coaches Tracey Neville (England) and Norma Plummer (South Africa) have confirmed they’re standing down – Tracey to start a family, and Norma to go into semi-retirement.

Coach Tracey Neville says her goodbyes. Image May Bailey

Casey Kopua (New Zealand) has hung up her dress, while there’s serious chat that Serena Guthrie and Laura Langman may also have played their last game in international colours.

Photo: Danny Dalton

Photo: Jenny Sinclair

ON THE INJURED LIST

Ameliaranne Wells (New Zealand) has had a heavily strapped groin/upper thigh since yesterday, but it certainly didn’t impact her performance.

Shemera Sterling (Jamaica) left the court after landing awkwardly, and didn’t return to court. The Adelaide Thunderbirds, along with Jamaica, will be hoping it’s nothing serious.

INTERVIEWS

Joice Takaidza, Zimbabwe, on a top eight finish for Malawi.

“We couldn’t have asked for anything else. For first comers to be in top 8. I don’t know what to say. It’s so gooooood.”

On the dancing celebration, shared with Uganda at the end of the match.

“It is just a dance we celebrate. It means we go forwards, we don’t go backwards. That’s the dance, we go forward. Never backwards.”

Uganda v Zimbabwe final. Image May Bailey

Casey Kopua, New Zealand, on their win.

“This was exactly what we came here for. The rollercoaster was a bit bumpy and a little bit rough, but we knew that was going to happen. It always comes down to that last shot. But I had no doubt that our girls could get the job done. I don’t think that anyone had doubt in themselves either.”

Image May Bailey

New Zealand 52 defeated Australia 51

In typical trans-Tasman fashion, the final between Australia and New Zealand was a one goal nail biter. Full match report here

Image May Bailey

England 58 defeated South Africa 42

England took no prisoners in their uncompromising victory over South Africa.

Full match report here

Image May Bailey

Jamaica 68 defeated Malawi 50

There was tape on almost every player and tired bodies ready to wring out their last ounces of athleticism, none more so than Shamera Sterling who did not last three minutes at goal keeper for Jamaica before cramps sent her to the bench. Jamaica leapt to a 6-1 lead courtesy of uncharacteristic misses from spearhead Joyce Mvula, but once she started to use her strength and timing to both front and back spaces the complexion of game changed. Kadie-Ann Dehaney got tips and rebounds and combined well with the speedy Ward, but not enough to slow the ascendancy of Malawi. There was a flurry of goals for both teams – Mvula, and her opposite, the ever-reliable Jhaniele Fowler, with 18/18 for the quarter, taking her Sunshine Girls to a 20-13 lead.

More Jamaicans were swapped on and off court due to exhaustion or injury, Stacian Facey replaced Jodiann Ward, Adean Thomas replaced Khadijah Williams. The Malawians seemed to be much more energised, able to both take midcourt intercepts and then bring them through to attack. The Queens tenaciously levelled the scores are 24-all halfway through the quarter. The highlight was Takondwa Lwazi’s pace and timing, and the stunning no-look offloads from Mvula to Jane Chimaliro. However the Africans faded out badly, and the Sunshine Girls were able to let the ball go quickly, pummelling their opponents with a 9-1 run, and entering half time ahead 37-28.

There were major renovations to the Jamaican lineup in the break, but none for Malawi, indicating that the Queens were desperate for the win. There was a distinct lack of fire in the third quarter, where the lead was as much as 12 but as little as 6. The direct connection of Lwazi and Mvula was at times scintillating. It was good to see players having a laugh with each other despite the importance of the match.

Uganda 58 defeated Zimbabwe 47

The substitution sheets of both teams were a frenzy by the end of the match, where African netball kept pushing up the world rankings. Uganda alone used 17 interchanges before dragging themselves over the line by 11 goals.

The Zimbabwe Gems were particularly potent via centre Mauladi and goal defence Kwangwa, a star in the making. Her showdown with Oyella was clean and classy. It was a good showing from the World Cup debutants, but Uganda didn’t seem troubled in their win.