Even without Mwawi Kumwenda on the court in the last two quarters of their match against Sri Lanka yesterday, Queens went on to set a new record at the Netball World Cup after registering a resounding 101-18 triumph at Allphones Arena in Sydney, Australia.
Queens are the first team to score over 100 baskets on the global stage in 12 years and a win by 83 baskets is the biggest at the on-going event. This is the fifth time the Queens are participating in the World Cup since their first appearance in 1995.
They are now the only outfit in Pool C not to have lost a match as they also beat their rivals South Africa 58-51 in their opening game on Friday. Pool C has leaders Malawi, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
On Friday, the Queens were in their most outstanding form to the effect that coach Peace Chawinga-Kalua had the luxury of substituting the country’s only netball export Mwawi for blossoming star Joyce Mvula upfront at half-time.
Captain Caroline Mtukule-Ngwira and enterprising goalshooter Sindi Simtowe were also replaced by Lauren Ngwira and Jane Chimaliro respectively, before they were slotted back into the court in the last-quarter.
Before being replaced at half-time, Mwawi had 32 baskets to her credit while Simtowe had 20.
It was not by chance, therefore, for Sky Sport commentators to describe Mwawi as ‘a super talent’ and ‘a super woman’ and it was not surprising to note that Simtowe achieved a 90 percent shooting accuracy.
Yet, despite the exit of Mwawi and Simtowe, the excitement did not stop to flicker; the spirited Queens continued to tick and rapidly increased the tally from 52-6 at half-time and 74-11 in the third segment before successfully reaching the record-breaking zone to add more misery on the Sri Lankans who lost 43-56 to Singapore in their first match.
The Queens will complete their preliminary round fixture today, Sunday when they face Singapore at 10.15am. South Africa, who found solace in thrashing Singapore 69-21, will take on Sri Lanka on Monday at 4.15am.
