NORTHERN IRELAND (46) defeated BARBADOS (43)

Northern Ireland has secured a top 10 place at the Netball World Cup after seeing off Barbados in a three-goal thriller on the final day of the Preliminary Stage Two. It means the Warriors finish above rivals Scotland, and face Trinidad and Tobago for ninth place. In the game, Barbados took an early one-goal lead at the final break, before the Warriors levelled the scores by half-time. Northern Ireland skipped out to a four-goal advantage heading into the final break which proved to be the difference in the end, as the Bajan Gems could only cut into the deficit by one to go down 43-46. Caroline O’Hanlon was absolutely phenomenal for Northern Ireland, helping herself to 22 goal assists, 39 feeds and four intercepts, whilst fellow experienced Warrior, Fionnuala Toner took in four intercepts and had four deflections. Goal shooter Noleen Armstrong was accurate at the post with 19 goals from 21 attempts, whilst Emma Magee shot 22 from 29 at goal attack. For the losing side, Shonette Azore-Bruce continued her terrific World Cup four to record another four intercepts and two rebounds as well as nine deflections, while Latonia Blackman (19 goals from 20 attempts, 15 goal assists and 18 feeds) and Shonica Wharton (24 from 26) were reliable in the goal circle.

AUSTRALIA (50) defeated NEW ZEALAND (49)

Australia and New Zealand have played out the game of the tournament in a tale of two halves that resulted in the reigning champions getting home by a single goal. The Diamonds took control in the first half to lead by three and six goals at the first two breaks, before the inevitable Silver Ferns fightback came to the fore. New Zealand outscored their Trans-Tasman rivals 14-12 in the third then roared back into the contest in a nail-biting final term, only falling one-goal short, 49-50. With a three minutes left on the clock and Diamonds shooter Caitlin Bassett sinking a goal to make it a three-goal advantage, the Silver Ferns looked gone until three consecutive goals levelled the scores with just over a minute to play. The Australian held their nerve and their defensive structures for Bassett to sink the winning goal in the final minute, before Maria Folau had a chance to level the scores at the final whistle, but missed. Bassett finished 37 goals from 41 attempts, while Steph Wood assisted had 13 goal assists to match her 13 goals. Up the other end, Folau (21 from 24) was her usual self at the post, while Ameliaranne Ekanasio had 20 from 24 but also picked up five goal assists, 15 centre pass receives, eight feeds and two rebounds. Australian goal keeper Courtney Bruce was sensational once again with three intercepts, three rebounds and eight deflections, teaming well with Jo Weston (two intercepts, two rebounds and four deflections. For the Silver Ferns, Casey Kopua helped herself to three intercepts, three deflections and a rebound, while Laura Langman stepped up when her side needed her to finish with a game-high 16 goal assists as well as 26 feeds.

ZIMBABWE (43) defeated by MALAWI (59)

Malawi has earned the right to battle for the number two African nation after seeing off Zimbabwe in the final round of Preliminary Stage Two, avoiding a head-to-head with Jamaica in the next round as a bonus. The Queens were just too clinical for everyone’s second side at the World Cup in the Gems, winning each of the four quarters, but by no more than six goals on their way to a 59-43 triumph. Joyce Mvula showed off all of her experience for the Queens, finishing with 41 goals from 43 attempts, while Jane Chimaliro (18 from 20) also had 16 goal assists and 17 feeds. It is hard to look past the performances of Towera Vinkumbo and Takondwa Lwazi however, with the pair absolutely sensational in defence and midcourt respectively. Vinkhumbo picked up a massive six interceptions, eight defelections and two rebounds, while Lwazi had 32 goal assists – double the next highest player on the court – as well as 47 feeds – 30 more than the next highest – and four deflections. For Zimbabwe, goal defence Felisitus Kwangwa continued her great form with two intercepts, one rebounds and six deflections, whilst up the other end, Joice Takaidza got it done in the circle with 22 goals from 24 attempts. Pauline Jani (13 from 15) was the other key scorer for the Gems.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (43) drew with SCOTLAND (43)

In a remarkable game, Scotland has held on against Trinidad and Tobago for the sides to record the first draw at the 2019 Netball World Cup. Battling each other for their first win in Pool G, they could not be split by the final whistle as the Thistles led by two goals at the first break before the Calypso Girls battled back to level by the final break. In a low-scoring final term, both sides could only manage the nine goals each and finished on 43 goals apiece. Sam Wallace was the standout shooter on the court showing off her Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) experience with 29 goals from 30 attempts as well as six goal assists and six feeds, whilst Kalifa McCollin finished with 14 from 17, assisting well with 12 goal assists and 22 feeds. Candice Guerero was key in the midcourt with 14 goal assists and 25 feeds – both team-highs, while picking up three deflections and an intercept. For the Thistles, Lynsey Gallagher (23 goals from 25 attempts) worked hard in the goal circle for 10 goal assists, 10 centre pass receives and 14 feeds, only bettered on the assist end from Claire Maxwell who finished with 16 as well as 33 feeds out of the middle. Emma Barrie scored 17 goals from 21 attempts, whilst Nicola McCleery linked up well in the attacking end with 21 centre pass receives, 14 feeds and nine goal assists. The draw means Trinidad and Tobago finish higher based on their other results against teams, which means they battle for ninth spot against Northern Ireland, while Scotland hope to get one over Barbados in the battle for eleventh.

JAMAICA (61) defeated UGANDA (48)

Jamaica has cruised into the next stage with a handy 61-48 victory over Uganda. The Sunshine Girls raced to a four-goal lead at the first break, then piled on 22 goals to 11 in the second term to all but end the contest there thanks to a 15-goal half-time lead. They extended the advantage to 17 by the final break before Uganda hit back to score some consolation goals and cut the final deficit to 13. The two towering SSN shooters were dominant for their sides with West Coast Fever’s Jhaniele Fowler scoring 38 goals from 39 attempts for the winners, while Sunshine Coast Lighting’s Peace Proscovia did not miss a shot from her 28 attempts for the losers. Midcourters Nicole Dixon (13 goal assists, 14 feeds), Khadijah Williams (10 goal assists, 25 centre pass receives and 19 feeds) and Adean Thomas (15 goal assists, 24 feeds) all stepped up, while Queensland Firebirds’ shooter Romelda Aiken finished with nine goals from 11 attempts for Jamaica. On the other side, Jesca Achan (15 goal assists, 32 feeds) and Ruth Meeme (14 goal assists, 32 feeds) were prolific through midcourt, while Racheal Nanyonga did it all with 12 goals from 19 attempts, 12 goal assists and 17 feeds. Both sides head into the next stage in contention for a top five spot, with Jamaica to face Zimbabwe and Uganda to meet continent rival, Malawi in a bid to play for fifth spot. The losers from both games end up facing off for seventh.

ENGLAND (58) defeated SOUTH AFRICA (47)

A dominant first quarter helped England to secure top spot in Group G and live up to expectations as pre-tournament favourites on home soil. The Roses raced away to an eight-goal lead at the first break and despite some great play from the SPAR Proteas, were never headed. The home side kept up the pressure throughout the match, leading by as much as 13 goals by the final change, before South Africa managed to win the last term with a 17-15 quarter but still fell short, 47-58. It was an even team performance from the English with Helen Housby (24 goals from 26 attempts) and Jo Harten (30 from 33) both prolific in the goal circle, while Housby also had seven goal assists, 13 centre pass receives and seven feeds. In midcourt, the experience of Serena Guthrie (14 goal assists and 26 feeds) and Chelsea Pitman (12 goal assists, 19 centre pass receives and 16 feeds) was obvious on the attacking end, whilst up the other end, Jade Clarke had a three deflections, only beaten by the world class Geva Mentor who picked up six deflections and four rebounds in a dominant display. Speaking of world class, Karla Pretorius was a thorn in the Roses’ side with three intercepts – the same amount as the entire English side – and two deflections, whilst in attack, Lenize Potgieter (17 goals from 21 attempts) and Sigrid Burger (11 from 12) shared the goal shooter role, as Maryka Holtzhausen was prominent, though inaccurate with 19 from 27, as well as six goal assists and nine feeds. Erin Burger had a team-high 15 goal assists and 34 feeds in a vital role at centre. Now England face New Zealand in the semi-finals, while South Africa meet reigning champions Australia with the two matches to determine the 2019 Netball World Cup final.