Malawi Queens lose narrowly to England in final test series

Malawi Queens  went down again to England Roses  in the final match of the three netball international series but there positives for Wednesday evening at at the Genting Arena in  Birmingham with a narrow 62-60 scoreline.

Malawi Queens failed to contain England’s Natalie Haythornthwaite whohelped the Roses to victory

For the first time in the three-match Series, the Queens started strongly and threatened a first win over their illustrious hosts but the Roses retained their composure to win a match which, at one stage, had seen them fall nine goals behind.

Having started on the back foot in the previous two games, the Queens came flying out of the blocks and caught England cold.

Led by an inspired captain  Joanna Kachilika and towering up and coming GK Lauren Ngwira , Malawi Queena defended with remarkable discipline and intensity to make it tough for the hosts mid-court to feed the attack.

At the end of the opening fifteen minutes, the Queens were 18-10 ahead.

Malawi Queens suffered a major blow when mid-court chief negotiator Takondwa Lwazi hobbled off and was replaced by Rose Mkanda.

Injury struck again for Malawi Queens as Mkanda was forced from the court with a similar knock to the one which befell Lwazi earlier in the quarter, but the latter was now fit enough to return to the action.

When England introduced Rachel Dunn  at GS,  Malawi responded by switching Kachilika into GK.

A composed double finish from player of the match Haythornthwaite finally saw the Roses take a lead but lost possession in the mid-court saw the momentum swing one final time in the quarter as the Queens netted twice to take a 46-45 lead.

The final quarter was a tense goal for goal affair in the early exchanges until fantastic defensive pressure forced a turnover with Dunn levelling.

Again ill-discipline cost Malawi from their centre-pass as the Roses snuck ahead once more. A three goal lead with five minutes remaining saw the home side under immense pressure with the Queens coolly taking the ball to goal and defending with renewed ferocity.

The pressure eventually told and the teams were once more tied at 59-59 with just two minutes left on the clock.

Composure was required and with Malawi sensing a first ever victory over their hosts, they went in search of a killer goal.

A fired feed into the waiting Mwawi Kumwenda was placed two inches too high and drifted long, advantage England as they scored and finally seal a dramatic victory.

The Queens will return to Malawi with their heads held high as they showed they can certainly mix it with the top nations.

 

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PAPA 1
PAPA 1
6 years ago

Team iyi Mary asiire Saenda ndi mzake wa police Kanyenda uja. These two know the deeper tricks of netball not Waya, UYU a apitilize za Kotcha ana a ku Academy osati są akuluakulu no. NAM sindimaimvetsa ołó

Ntumbuka Mwenecho
Ntumbuka Mwenecho
6 years ago

Mmalo mwa atumbuka onse, ndiribe mawu.

Hlabezulu Ngonoonda
Hlabezulu Ngonoonda
6 years ago

In the first place, why no words on behalf the said grouping? Explain. Or is it a schizophrenic national mindset that permeates in Malawi and its denial only compounds the problem? The fault falls squarely on the interim coaching panel. It was not up to the task. Those are the results. May be David Moyes would have chalked one win out of three games.

ananveruwa akwa magodi
ananveruwa akwa magodi
6 years ago

Kodi Saenda anachokeranji? answer plz now now

Mzika
Mzika
6 years ago

Saenda is very sick

China
China
6 years ago

Team yalowa pansi iyi chisiyileni coach Sayenda. Azimayi awa kuchuluka Milandu

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