TONGA has justified its world ranking in netball by taking out the dangerous Scotland overnight in the 2023 Netball World Cup five round of matches. The Tala won their third match of the series and added Scotland to their list of scalps that included Zimbabwe and Fiji, in a hard-fought contest that saw them come away with an eight-goal win, 55-47.

The Tala had the perfect start against Scotland, storming to a 15-10 lead at quarter time which set up the game for the world number sevens. Shooter Uneeq Palavi was at her brutal best again, shooting 12 goals from 13 attempts, while Luana Aukafolau had eight goal assists from 12 feeds. Up the other end, Lose Fainga’anuku was doing well on Bethan Goodwin, keeping her to just five goals from eight attempts, and her own penalties at a minimum.

Her efforts forced Goodwin off the court as Emma Barrie came on, and that seemed to do the trick early even though the Scottish pair including Niamh McCall missed a few opportunities. The Thistles managed to cut the deficit to within four goals, but each successful goal was met by one up the other end as Palavi (11 goals from 12 attempts) was on-song.

In midcourt, Hulita Veve and Iona Christian were having a great battle, and neither side could be split through the quarter, with the margin remaining at five by half-time. It prompted more changes for the Thistles, as Christian moved into centre, Leighton into wing defence and and Scottish games record holder Claire Maxwell off for a rest, while bringing on Emma Love. The Thistles also switched Rachel Conway with Cerys Finn.

Unfortunately for the Thistles, they could not make any inroads as the determined Tonga Tala side piled on the first five goals of the quarter to open up a double-digit lead. By the nine and a half minute mark, Tonga lead by 12 goals (41-29) and it looked to be in the books. To Scotland’s credit, the Thistles fought back to cut it to as little as eight, but a crucial miss to Barrie, followed by a goal to Palavi up the other end meant the final break margin stood at nine.

Christian retuned to the court for the Thistles, as the Tala also switched their wing defence as Lucia Fauonuku came on for Kelea Iongi. Barrie actually gave the Thistles a glimmer of hope early with the first three goals of the quarter, and with McCall finding her range again, the pair cut the deficit back to four goals at the six and a half minute mark.

While the Thistles were able to generate enough shots – with 16 attempts from 20 feeds – their efficiency was down on their opponents, as Palavi (six goals) and Marie Hansen (five) both shot at 100 per cent. Veve and Christian continued their great battle in the middle, while Finn (two intercepts) and Leighton (one) were also prominent.

Tonga proved too strong thanks to the first and third quarters, and came away with the 55-47 victory. Unsurprisingly, Palavi won Player of the Match honours for her 41 goals from 43 attempts, while her partner-in-crime Hansen had 14 from 17, as well as 10 goal assists. Aukafolau recorded a match-high 22 goal assists, while Veve (18 goal assists, one intercept) and Fainga’anuku (six rebounds two intercepts) were both strong.

For Scotland, Barrie (21 goals from 29 attempts) and McCall (21 from 26) both had their moments but were down on their usual efficiency, while Christian finished with 16 goal assists and a rebound. Leighton (nine goal assists, three intercepts) and Finn (two intercepts) also tried hard.

Zimbabwe (71) defeated Sri Lanka (36)

Zimbabwe finally got some reward for effort, taking control and securing a comfortable 35-goal win over Sri Lanka. The African nation piled on 15-plus goals in each quarter, and while Sri Lanka looked lively in the first half, dropped away in the second to go down, 71-36.

Nicole Muzanenamo won Player of the Match, shooting an accurate 32 goals from 34 attempts, while also recording 13 goal assists from 15 feeds, one rebound and two intercepts. Progress Moyo scooped up 33 goal assists. For Sri Lanka, Dulangi Wannithileka had six goal assists to go with her team-high 20 goals from 23 attempts.

England (89) defeated Fiji (28)

There was no doubting the better side between England and Fiji as the Roses made a statement during their 61-goal victory. Keeping Fiji to eight goals or less in each of the quarters, England ran rampant with a 50-goal first half, before resting players and running out 89-28 winners.

Shooter Eleanor Cardwell was enormous, shooting 40 goals from 41 attempts, while also having four goal assists. Helen Housby (26 goals from 28 attempts and 13 goal assists) and Chelsea Pitman (29 goal assists) were aggressive in attacking midcourt, while Imogen Allison had a balanced role with 14 goal assists and three intercepts. For Fiji, Maliana Rusivakula tried hard with 25 goals from 30 attempts.