Friday 10th December 2010: An African derby between Tanzania and Namibia kick started day four of the NTUC FairPrice Foundation Nations Cup 2010. Both teams started well with Tanzania beginning to pull ahead at the end of the first quarter leading 12 – 7. The Namibian’s failed to make up the point deficit entering half time 26 – 18 and trailed by a similar margin for the rest of the match to lose 45 – 37.
The introduction of Namibian WA, Rhuu Hengua in the final quarter shook things up with Namibian side winning the quarter 10-11. Unfortunately it was too little too late as Tanzanian GS, Mwanaidi Hassan used her height in the circle to convert 96% of attempts to retain the lead. Namibia is now firmly in a bottom two play off position having lost four out of four games so far.
Following their third win in a row, Tanzanian Head Coach Simone McKinnis, said: “I am happy to have the win but I don’t think it is as good a performance as we should have put out there. Tomorrow against Wales is a big day for us. We’ll certainly have to lift our game. We will be turning out to win that match and get ourselves into the final.”
In the second game of the day, undefeated Scotland met India, the lowest ranking team of the tournament. While the Scots walked away confident victors with a 68 –24 win, Scottish coach Denise Holland made twelve changes in the second half allowing new players to show their worth.
New team member Gemma Sole played both GK and GS at various times scoring 27 goals, while Stephanie McGarrity had an impressive outing at WD earning her first international cap. Speaking after the game, Scottish coach, Denise Holland, said: “Gemma has experience at either end and a lovely shot coming. It was our chance to see what she could do at an international level at both positions. It was a really good first cap and I am delighted at her performance today.”
Describing her first international outing, nineteen year old Stephanie McGarrity said, “I was a bit nervous at times but I just had to stay composed and play the game I play at home and hopefully do enough to earn my spot in the team.”
In the final game of the day, Singapore played their fourth game of the tournament against Wales.
In a fast and furious first quarter, the home side scored 12 goals to Wales’ 11 and were impressive in defence. The second quarter continued apace with end to end scoring and both teams level on 22 – 22 going into half time. Wales made eight switches during the break, bringing on captain Suzy Drane in WD and Chelsea Lewis as GS.
Having conceded 5 points in the first four minutes of the third quarter, Singapore followed suit making five changes to the formation and introducing team stalwart Jean Ng as GD and Li Ling as GA. Wales’ changes proved more effective however, building an eight point advantage over the home team. The Singapore team dug deep, turning over Welsh centres to bring the scores back within in reach to 36 -31 going into the final quarter, but never regained full control losing out 49-39.
Analysing the match, Singapore coach, Kate Carpenter said: “The introduction of different players and the defensive efforts of Wales in the second half meant they were more mobile and better able to contain our players.” She added, “We knew it was going to be a tight contest, but we will continue to work on our defensive turnover and hopefully be able to convert more against Scotland tomorrow.”
Premilar Hirubalan shone in defence but even a gutsy performance was not enough to bring the game back in hand. Singapore will hope to avenge the match if they meet Wales again in the upcoming World Netball Championships in July but will have to settle for a third or fourth place play off for now.
In tomorrow’s line up Wales will meet Tanzania at 4.00pm, Namibia play India at 6.00pm and Singapore go head to head at 8.00pm.
