The Desert Jewels have won two out of four so far, with one pool match to go. Photo Netball.com.au
The Desert Jewels have won two out of four so far, with one pool match to go. Photo Netball.com.au

Fiji's lanky team the next challenge

Netball
Andrew Poolman
Namibia’s Debmarine Jewels will be looking for a strong finish in their already successful participation in the Pacific Netball Series in Brisbane, Australia, this weekend.

Today’s match against Fiji (11:00 Namibian time) could determine whether the Namibians will be involved in the final, or the bronze final, on Saturday’s last match day. Coach Julene Meyer’s team will once again face a nation placed higher than them on the world rankings (15th vs 20th).

The host nation’s Australia First Nations team yesterday overcame the Namibians 45-41, living up to their billing as historically the strongest team in the competition.

“It was very frustrating watching us lose against ourselves,” Meyer said yesterday.

“Frustrating, in terms of inconsistency and off-the-ball interference. But at this stage in our learning curve, we need to toughen up and be mature about it.

“On the positive side we had plenty of turnovers won by the defence and the new players introduced were composed in their accuracy.”

Meyer says the Fijians’ speedy and lanky players will present a challenge they look forward to.

On Tuesday the Desert Jewels recorded an impressive win over the Tonga Tala in a nail-bitingly close match, handing Tonga (world number 8) their first loss at the Pacific Netball Series in over two years. This was followed up with a 58-45 domination of Singapore on Wednesday, to make up for their opening day loss against Samoa (47-55).

“After their 30-hour journey travelling over to Australia, standouts from the Namibian Desert Jewels include captain and goal attack Anna Kaspar, wing defence Venyekerera Maharero and goal-keeper Mwale Mulenamaswe,” Netball.com.au reported.

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