By Hastings Wadza Kasonga Jr
Malawi Netball team, the Queens, failed to finish a great job in the second half of their World Cup encounter against Worlds number One, Australia after conceding 42 baskets to 18 baskets netted in the third and fourth Quarter to suffer a 70-46 defeat on Tuesday.
The Queens were in high spirits mostly in the Second Quarter to force a 28-28 draw at half but their third and fourth Quarters were full of losing balls hence punished by the Origin Diamonds.
The last edition’s runners up faced a tough battle from the start as Malawi’s defence won balls but failed to use them all as Australia led 16-13 after the Quarter. The Queens then turned into beasts as they pinned and punished Australia in the second to score 15 baskets against 12 for the opponents to seal a 28-28 draw at half time.
The Queens lost touch in the third Quarter as the Diamonds came very strong then scored 21 baskets while Malawi got just 9 to lead 49-37 and it was the same thing in the fourth quarter, Australia netting 21 baskets to Malawi’s 9 to win the match 70-46.
The chances of reaching the Semi finals are now impossible for the Queens but they just have to beat World’s 7th placed, Tonga, who are playing their first ever World Cup, so that they fight for a fifth place at the tournament.
