Sunshine Girls take fifth as Silver Ferns lift Netball World Cup

Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls secured 5^thplace at the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England after their 68-50 victory over Malawi on Sunday. The Jamaicans led from the start of the game, outscoring their opponents 20-13, at the first 15-minute mark before heading into the half time break in front by 11 goals, 37-28. The Sunshine Girls added 15 more goals and made it 52-41 at the end of the third quarter. 

They then went on a 16-9 run in the final quarter before winning by 11 goals. The win was fitting for the outstanding captain and goal-shooter Jhaniele Fowler on her 30th birthday. Fowler ended with 53 goals from 54 attempts, 

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Silver Ferns held off a late fightback by Australia’s Diamonds to prevail 52-51 in a gripping and pulsating encounter to lift their fifth Netball World Cup overall and their first in 16 years.

Goal-Shooter Maria Folau led the way for the Silver Ferns…as they played epic netball to beat the defending champions and 11-time winners. New Zealand avenged a one goal loss they had suffered to the Australians in the group stages of the tournament on Thursday.

The Silver Ferns’ success completed a recent revival after they had failed to medal for the first time at last year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia. England took the bronze medal with a 58-42 win over South Africa. South Africa’s Goal Defender Karla Pretorius was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.