Northern Ireland 56-38 Trinidad & Tobago
Malawi vs South Africa 50-52 South Africa
Jamaica vs England 49-70 1st / 2nd
New Zealand 58-57 Australia
GAME 48
COURT 1, MISSION FOODS WORLD NETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS GRAND FINAL 2011
10th July 2011
Possession was key in the tense and thrilling Grand Final of the Mission Foods World Netball Championships today between the Australian Netball Diamonds and the New Zealand Silver Ferns, which was won in the last second of extra time by the Diamonds 58 - 57.
From the first whistle it was all or nothing as neither team gave away too much possession on attack and on defence. Both teams were breathtakingly outstanding and gave the 7,512 strong crowd much to cheer for.
The New Zealand Silver Ferns at one point looked like they had the game in their hands with a six point lead (26 – 20) at half time but lost the advantage in the third quarter when Caitlin Bassett came on for Australia and presented a clear target for the Diamonds shooting an outstanding average of 90%. Chelsea Pitman, who is new to the Diamonds’ Squad, supported the mid court play down the court, feeding effectively into the circle, playing like an experienced international.
Several players shone on court with New Zealand’s Casey Williams (GD) taking intercepts, which for spectators was hard to comprehend just how she got there to do something so remarkable in the first place. Mo’onia Gerrard, who played Goal Defense for Australia for the last three quarters and into extra time was creating havoc around the circle edge, not backing off one inch to give the Silver Ferns an easy shot. As the game headed into the final periods of the game, Australia Goal Shooter, Caitlin Bassett, steadied her nerves and scored an impressive 100% accuracy when it mattered (fourth quarter and first half of extra time).
Both teams were neck to neck (57 – 57) and with 10 seconds to go, New Zealand’s Maria Tutaia squandered what could have been the winning shot of the game. The Diamonds got the rebound of Tutaia’s shot and raced up court for the wining goal of the Championship in the last second of extra time. Final score 58 – 57 to Australia.
The Australian Netball Diamonds retain their crown of World Champion while The Silver Ferns have to wait another four years before their next attempt at snatching the crown from their neighbours.
GAME 47
COURT 1, 3rd/4th PLAY-OFF
10th July 2011
England have claimed the Bronze Medal back from Jamaica for the first time since 1999 as they confidently dealt to the strong-willed sunshine girls in the 3rd/4th playoff this afternoon.
A strong opening quarter from England set them in good stead for the highly contested match as they continued to push forward and extend their lead till the final whistle.
