Malawi Queens beat England, lose to SA in World Fast5 netball
Blue Eagles Sisters sensational centre Takwonda Lwazi inspired Malawi Queens to their first victory in the 2013 Fast5 Netball World Series in Auckland when she stole the ball off England’s attack in the final 20 seconds before passing it over to Mwai Kumwenda who converted it into a goal at the other end of the court.
Malawi Queens won the match 35-32 baskets.
The Queens held a 5-4 advantage after a tight first quarter and took good advantage of their power play in the second stanza.
The combination of Kumwenda’s and Jane Chimaliro was on full display as they weaved their way around the English defence and built up a 23-11 lead.
Sensing danger, England steadily improved their game in the third quarter and Rachel Dunn’s six
point bullet shot the Fives into the lead with two minutes left of their power play.
But the Queens were unmoved and kept their close range shots to draw ahead 30-28 going into the last period.
Malawi continued to shine with their unorthodox style and long looping passes, but with three minutes to go, England got their act together under the leadership of centre Serena Guthrie.
Only two goals separated them with 20 seconds remaining before pint-sized centre Takondwa Lwazi pounced as
England were preparing to shoot.
However, in their second encounter against their rivals South Africa, Malawi Queens lost 41-35, earning the rainbow nation a semifinal spot in the FAST5 Netball World Series in Auckland.
