Queens lose again
Malawi netball Queens completed their tour of England with a second loss [65-44] to the hosts before a capacity crowd at University Arena in Worcester on Saturday night. The matches were meant for preparing both teams for the 2015 World Cup.
This stretched the Africa number one team’s winless streak to eight games.
It was a bad end to the year for Malawi whose rankings are now under threat having not won in five months. The Nation sourced the latest match report on www. englandnetball.co.uk.
Malawi, who had in the first game on Wednesday lost 66-38 against the third ranked hosts, fielded a strong squad which included recalled wing defender Joana Kachilika and centre Takondwa Lwazi.
During the second international test match, Kachilika and Lwazi came in for the likes of Martha Dambo.
Despite the changes, the website shows that the Mary Waya-coached side still trailed on Saturday in all quarters 14-10, 30-21, 50-32, 65-44.
However, website reports that the Queens put up a good fight against England who restored to the starting line-up wing defender Stacey Francis.
“Malawi certainly weren’t in the mood to roll over and accept defeat as they responded in fine style. Direct attacking play was producing errors from a usually tight English defence. The gap remained at two for much of the opening quarter,” writes the website.
“Once more Malawi refused to lie down and showcased their awe inspiring athleticism and agility with some fabulous movement in the final third. The one-way traffic was momentarily stemmed and Queens kept the gap down to 30-21 at half-time whistle.”
Now Malawi’s ranking, which include fifth position in the world, is under threat as they also posted six straight defeats at the 2014 World Fast5 Netball Series in New Zealand last month.
The absence of key players such as Mwawi Kumwenda and Beatrice Mpinganjira has worsened Queens’ performance. Malawi last won at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games mid this year.
Malawi starting 7: Lorraine Ngwira, Sindi Simtowe, Bridget Kumwenda, Takondwa, Lwazi, Kachilika, Caroline Mtukule Ngwira, Towera Vikhumbo Nyirenda. n
