WALES stepped up in the ninth placed playoff to defeat rivals Scotland to cap off an all-round solid Netball World Cup performance. Aside from heavy losses to Jamaica and New Zealand, the Feathers were largely competitive, knocking off Sri Lanka and Trinidad & Tobago in the group stage to make it to the playoffs.

A rising nation in world netball, the Feathers have shown they can match it with the best, and that was exemplified by a competitive effort against South Africa on opening day, where they almost rolled the hosts before going down by 11 goals.

RESULTS

Group C: 3rd (1-2, -34 goal difference)

lost to South Africa by 11 goals (50-61)
lost to Jamaica by 35 goals (40-75)
defeated Sri Lanka by 12 goals (68-56)

Group G: 5th (1-4, -97 goal difference)

lost to New Zealand by 49 goals (34-78)
lost to Uganda by 17 goals (56-73)
defeated Trinidad & Tobago by 15 goals (70-55)

9th Placed Playoff:

defeated Scotland by 15 goals (57-42)

HIGHLIGHT

Wales’ win over Scotland capped off the World Cup with a complete four-quarter performance against the Thistles. Winning each of the quarters, the Feathers’ second half was the icing on the cake, scoring 32 goals to 21 to run out 15-goal winners, 57-42.

Goal shooter Georgia Rowe put up 42 goals from 45 shots, as well as recording a rebound and two goal assists in the win. Phillipa Yarranton (15 goals from 17 attempts, 18 goal assists and two intercepts) was also busy, while Ella Powell-Davies and Christina Shaw combined for 10 rebounds and three intercepts.

STANDOUT PLAYER

Doing an incredible amount of work under the post, towering shooter Rowe took the bulk of the scoring upon herself. Shooting 250 goals for her side, she was influential, also pulling in six offensive rebounds. Worrying opposition players throughout the tournament, she was a reliable shot on goal and one of the more prolific goal shooters.

OTHERS

Yarranton only shot the 75 goals, but was able to support Rowe well in the circle, and provide some movement. Wing attack Bethan Dyke can be a gamechanger on her best day, while the defensive duo of Powell-Davies and Shaw combined for 19 intercepts, 30 intercepts and 17 defensive rebounds. Wales has a well-balanced unit across the board, and with Clare Jones and Nia Jones providing energy in the midcourt, the Feathers have a strong starting seven.

SUMMARY

Wales’ starting seven lineup is well balanced and provides a mix of tenacity and speed, and though the depth of the nation is still growing, the Feathers have been blooding younger players for the future. They came away with a ninth placed finish at the Netball World Cup, which is a result the Feathers fans can be proud off, and knocking off Scotland would have been the nice icing on the cake.