She Cranes throw last dice at Jamaica in WC

After losing 67-40 to South Africa yesterday, the She Cranes must bounce back against Jamaica tonight in a game that determines the fate of both teams. AFP PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • A round of applause to Uganda. And a sigh of relief against Norma Plummer’s team, whose shooting pair Lenize Potgieter and Maryka Holtzhausen missed only five of their 75 attempts.

Kampala. Uganda cannot afford to lose again tonight if their mathematical chance to play in the semis of the Netball World Cup is to count.

After losing 67-40 to South Africa yesterday, the She Cranes must bounce back against Jamaica tonight in a game that determines the fate of both teams. Jamaica did themselves good by thrashing Scotland 67-36 earlier on and must have been taking vital notes for this fixture.

Against South Africa, Uganda paid for its lack of pace. After winning the second quarter 13-12, they began the third in control of the game but only scored three points in four minutes yet the opponents needed just three passes to score one.

Eventually, they paid for the sloppiness and the Proteas won the quarter 15-10 to extend their lead to 46-33.
Coach Vincent Kiwanuka made some changes, to arrest the bloodletting, shooter Mary Nuba for Peace Proscovia and Joan Nampungu for Lilian Ajio in defence.

Versatile Racheal Nanyonga and Nampungu had long balls intercepted, both converted by South Africa. The coach reversed his mind, pulled out Nuba, pushed Proscovia back on court, after just five minutes. Did it pay off? No.
South Africa went on a scoring spree, finishing the quarter with an emphatic 19-7 goals, and the game 67-40. They confirmed their first semi-final since 1995 in Birmingham while denting Uganda’s chances of their first semifinal ever.

Uganda’s clinical goal attacker Stella Oyella converted the last shot of the game, her 27th goal of 30 shots, and her 97th goal so far. A round of applause to Uganda. And a sigh of relief against Norma Plummer’s team, whose shooting pair Lenize Potgieter and Maryka Holtzhausen missed only five of their 75 attempts.

NETBALL WORLD CUP 2019

YESTERDAY - SECOND STAGE RESULTS
S. Africa 67-40 Uganda
Trinidad & Tobago 46-72 England
Jamaica 67-36 Scotland
SCORE PER QUARTER
Q1: 19-10 Q2: 12-13 Q3: 15-10 Q4: 19-7
SHARP SHOOTERS
Uganda: Oyella: 27/30, Proscovia 13/14
S. Africa: Potgieter: 46/49, Holtzhausen: 21/23