Malawi Queens overcome England to finish third in Fast5

Malawi national netball team gatecrashed into the once impetratable fortress of the top four best netball teams in the world at the World Netball Fast Five Series tournament held in Melbourne Australia.

The did it style by not only breaking the jinx to be in four but also beating superpowers England 35-32 to finish on podium position of third after an epic battle in the third place playoffs against their former colonial masters.

Malawi made their intent to break the record known after taking the lead in the first quarter 5-8 extending it to 10-17 at half time recess.

But in the third quarter England put powerplay to good effect scoring most valuable baskets to snatch the lead 21-26 by the end of the quarter.

Malawi nearly paid the price for relying on one point scores with New Zealand based professional Mwai Kumwenda doing the job.

Trailing 21-26 Malawi dug deeper into their reserves to turn around the game and deservedly winning 35-32.

This was a sweet revenge for Malawi, who were humbled 43 to 22 in the preliminary round.

On Saturday they missed by a whisker victory over second ranked and hosts Australia 24-24, lost top ranked team New Zealand eventual champions 53 to 27.

They beat rivals South Africa 36 to 21, thrashed Jamaica 46-12 on their way to third place playoffs berth.

Meanwhile the victory has earned them plaudists with one of them fans saying they have done it against all odds.

“The Queens have proved that it is not about facilities or financial resources that determine success but hunger. I hope this inspires and motivates all Malawians in all sporting disciplines to know that they can do it against all odds if they are determined,” said, Thomas Taimu.

Another fan suggested to national newspapers that beating England deserves front page coverage.