CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls thrashed hosts South Africa 67-49 to remain unbeaten, top Group C and surge into the next round of the Netball World Cup on Sunday.
Sunshine Girls superstar Jhaniele Fowler in action against South Africa on Sunday.Led by superstar goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler who netted 39 goals from 40 attempts, Jamaica stormed to a 52-29 lead at the end of the third quarter, to win their third in a row at Cape Town International Convention Centre.
There was no such good fortune for either Trinidad and Tobago or Barbados, as both Caribbean sides were also soundly thrashed.
In Group B, Barbados went down 84-48 to Malawi while in Group D, Trinidad and Tobago suffered a 74-34 defeat at the hands of Uganda.
Jamaica will now line up in Group G of the second stage alongside the likes of New Zealand, Uganda, Wales, Trinidad and Tobago and the hosts.
Group F, meanwhile, comprises Australia, England, Malawi, Tonga, Scotland and Fiji.
Jamaica took control of their contest early, leading 16-12 at the end of the first quarter, and then narrowly out-scoring South Africa 16-14, to be up 32-26 at the half.
The third quarter provided the stage for Jamaica’s utter domination, however, as they outscored South Africa 20-3, to take the contest by the scruff of the neck.
South Africa found their momentum in the final quarter with outstanding goalkeeper Shamera Sterling benched, out-scoring Jamaica 20-15, but found the 23-goal deficit at the start of the quarter too much to overcome.
For South Africa, goal shooter Lenize Potgieter knocked down a perfect 17 from 17 attempts while Nichole Taljaard supported with 15 from 19.
Barbados lost their third straight to finish bottom of their group, punished by Australia-based Mwai Kumwenda who poured in 42 goals from 47 attempts, and Joyce Mvula who assisted with 37 from 38 attempts.
Their efforts saw Malawi lead 20-10 at the end of the first quarter, an advantage which they converted into a 43-22 half-time lead. The African side out-scored Barbados 21-13 and 20-13 over the next two quarters to be out of sight.
For Barbados, former England star Kadeen Corbin led with 32 goals from 33 attempts.
“There were some things that were good, but we needed to capitalize and focus a lot more,” said Barbados’ vice-captain Tonisha Rock-Yaw.
“We needed to try and limit the mistakes and turnovers. There were too many today.
“For the rest of the tournament, we are taking it day by day and just making sure we stay in it.”
Trinidad and Tobago, meanwhile, made a fist of it in the opening quarter to trail only 14-11, but found themselves completely dominated afterwards as Uganda pulled away convincingly.
Afeisha Noel led the Trinidadians with 29 goals from 31 attempts while Uganda were powered by their 26-year-old superstar Mary Cholhok who poured in 35 from 36.
