Date: 10 – 17 November 2007

Venue: Waitakere City, Auckland, New Zealand

Groupings:

Group A: New Zealand, Wales, Malawi, Botswana
Group B: Australia, Trinidad & Tobago, Samoa, Scotland
Group C: Jamaica, Fiji, Singapore, Cook Islands
Group D: England, South Africa, Barbados, Malaysia.

Fixtures for Pool Games:

11 November (Sun) : Fiji Vs Singapore
12 November (Mon) : Cook Islands Vs Singapore
13 November (Tue) : Jamaica Vs Singapore

Results:

10 November
Game 1: New Zealand vs Malawi: 85-26

Official Website: www.worldnetballchamps.com

It’s less than 3 weeks to the Worlds Netball Championships! Our National Team has been training very hard for the competition and are looking good!

Fresh from the 5 Nations win, they will face a different challenge at the WNC and will play teams from Fiji (ranked 8th), Cook Islands (ranked 11th) and Jamaica (ranked 3rd).

Our National Team will fly off to Auckland, New Zealand on 03 Nov (Sat), 8.30am for practice matches against Barbados (ranked 7th) on 07 Nov and the New Zealand U21 side on 09 Nov, before opening the campaign on 11 Nov against Fiji.

If you wish to show your support for the team and send them off, you can catch them at Changi Airport T2 on 03 Nov. Their flight is at 8.30am so be sure to be there at least 2hrs before!

You can also drop your well-wishes and messages in our forum!

Your National Team

Chan Pearline (co-Captain)
Chen Huifen
Jeanine Heng
Premila Hirubalan
Vanessa Lee Marie 
Li Ling
Lin Qingyi
Jean Ng (co-Captain)
Charlene Porima
Tan Hui Yan
Wendy Tan
Zhang Tingjun

Coach: Kate Carpenter
Asst Coach: Joanne Loo
Team Manager: Vicki Woo
Physiotherapist: Eunice Ee

Day 1, Pool A: New Zealand 85, Malawi 26
10/11/2007

Power, pace and finishing were all on show as the Silver Ferns cruised to an 85-26 win over Malawi in the opening match of the New World Netball World Championships at The Trusts Stadium, in Auckland tonight.

Months of preparation were put to the test as the Silver Ferns took the first steps towards securing back-to-back world titles for the first time at the week-long tournament.

The Silver Ferns were quick to show their superiority in all departments as they rattled in the first six goals of the match.

On the back of their superior height and physical presence, the Silver Ferns marched on for convincing quarter leads of 23-5, 45-10 and 63-19.

The tall figure of goal shoot Irene van Dyk, who towered over her defensive opposites Esther Nkhoma and Caroline Mtukule, proved a readily available target for the Silver Ferns.

Appearing in her fourth world championship, the world’s most capped netballer was a pivotal figure in the match with her strong positional game and accuracy resulting in the perfect game of 42 shots from 42 attempts for the three quarters she played.

The unorthodox Malawians struggled for options, occasionally threading the ball through court for a warmly-received goal here and there, but mostly it was a battle of epic proportions.

Strong defence by the Silver Ferns caused all sorts of problems for Malawi with Sheryl Scanlan and Casey Williams particularly effective.

With her participation in doubt until this week, centre Laura Langman made a strong return to match play when named in the Silver Ferns starting seven for the tournament opener tonight.

The livewire midcourter showed no signs of discomfort from the foot injury that has confined her to rehabilitation mode for the past month, warming to her task the further the match progressed.

“The foot’s great and I’m feeling really good so I’m hoping to push on for the rest of the week,” Langman said.

“I just need to work on my finesse and finishing off with my feeding but it was good to get a whole game under my belt.”

Coach Ruth Aitken had the luxury of playing 11 of her 12-strong team tonight.

Day 2, Pool C: Fiji 61, Singapore 32
11/11/2007

Singapore started their first appearance in the 2007 New World Netball World Championships at Trusts Stadium, Auckland this afternoon.

The game between the South Pacific Games champions, and Asian champions Singapore packed the single stand at court 2 with lively spectators who saw the Fijians win by 61-32.

Singapore held their own against their much taller and more robust opposition, going goal for goal for the first five minutes. Co-Captain and wing attack Pearline Chan was the first of several Singapore players who found the game a bruising one, coming off second-best after an encounter with Waqanidrola, Fiji’s Wing Defence.

She recovered and played on, but a more serious blow for Singapore came late in the first quarter when their tall, mobile shooter Li Ling went off with a knee injury. Jeanine Heng replaced her as Goal Shooter. She came back on court in the third quarter with her knee heavily strapped, but was clearly not happy and returned to the bench. Li Ling had been giving Fiji’s goal keeper and captain Mere Rabuka plenty to do, and although Singapore’s goal attack Chen Huifen remained steady and took her opportunities, she got few easy shots against Rabuka and goal defence Marjorie Parr. Tan Huiyan came on to replace Li Ling and the sisters played their first match together.

Fiji extended their 14-9 first quarter lead to 34-15 by half-time and made several changes including the introduction of player-coach Vilimaina Davu to the goal keep position. The final score is 61 – 32.

In the other Pool C match, Jamaica beat Cook Islands 71 – 29.

Singapore will be playing Cook Islands in their second match tomorrow at 12.10pm (Singapore time: 7.10am) and will look to improve their game.

Other Results

Pool A: 
Wales vs Botswana: 54 – 35
Pool B: 
Trinidad and Tobago vs Scotland: 47 – 39
Australia vs Samoa: 82 – 26
Pool D: 
South Africa vs Malaysia: 67- 28
England vs Barbados: 87 – 34

Day 3, Pool C: Cook Islands 45, Singapore 43
12/11/2007

Singapore missed out narrowly on a win today the New World Netball World Championships, losing 43 – 45 to the Cook Islands.

It was a painful loss for Singapore, who were named as the hosts for the next netball world championships two days ago, but were unable to hold off the more physical Cook Islands combination in the closest game of the tournament so far at the Trusts Stadium, Waitakere.

Singapore started brightly to lead 13-9 after the first quarter, with Tan Huiyan and Chen Huifen missing just two shots at goal

Cook Islands made some timely intercepts and with their hard-running midcourt making inroads, they took the second quarter 12-7 and the halftime lead 21-20.

However, a determined Singapore and a 5-2 run late in the third quarter and some good interceptions allowed Singapore back into the match and the lead 32-31.

The lead continued to swap throughout the final quarter, with Singapore twice fighting back after falling behind by three goals, until Cook Islands made a key intercept, converted the chance and held on for the two-goal win.

A spirited Singapore team, together with the screaming Singapore supporters, fought till the last second, but was unable to convert their chances.

Singapore will play Jamaica in their last pool match tomorrow at 4.10pm (Singapore time: 11.10am) before playing their quarter-finals game against Samoa or Trinidad and Tobago (3rd place team in pool B) on Wednesday.

Singapore will now go on to fight for the 9 to 16th place.

In the other pool C game, Jamaica beat Fiji by 78 – 35. In the pool A match, Trinidad and Tobago gave Australia a good run for the ball and won the support of the New Zealand and neutral fans. In the pool D match, Malaysia found no answers against England and was trounced 99 – 16.

Other Results

Pool A: 
Malawi vs Botswana: 44 – 32
New Zealand vs Wales: 86 – 24
Pool B 
Samoa vs Scotland: 60 – 39
Australia vs Trinidad and Tobago: 78 – 34
Pool D: 
England vs Malaysia: 99- 16
South Africa vs Barbados: 56 – 36

Day 4, Pool C: Jamaica 91, Singapore 35
13/11/2007

Singapore went down to world no. 3, Jamaica today at the New World Netball World Championships, losing 91 – 35.

A spirited Singapore started brightly against the Jamaicans and was leveled for the first 5 minutes. Jamaica began to pump high balls to their 1.96m tall Goal Shooter, Romelda Alken, and Singapore’s defence had difficulty containing her. Jamaica began to pull away, finishing 26 – 11 after the first quarter.

Premila Hirubalan took over as Goal Keeper in the 2nd quarter and was the darling of the crowd, intercepting some balls which Jamaica, pumped to Alken. The second quarter ended 47 – 21.

A determined Singapore worked hard through the last second and the match finally finished 91 – 35.

Finishing 4th in their group in the round games, Singapore will now go on to play for the 9th to 16th world ranking placing and will meet Trinidad and Tobago, who finished 3rd in pool B, in the quarter-finals tomorrow.

Singapore has met Trinidad and Tobago twice earlier this year during the 5 Nations and had beaten them on both occasions by more than 15 goals. A win in tomorrow’s game will put Singapore in the 9th to 12th placing and they will go on to play the winner of the Barbados vs Botswana match.

In the other pool C game, Cook Islands created an upset by beating Fiji by 42 – 36, and finished ahead of Fiji to qualify for the top 8 positions.

Other Results

Pool A:
New Zealand vs Botswana: 76 – 20
Wales vs Malawi: 52 – 55
Pool B: 
Australia vs Scotland: 93 – 20
Trinidad and Tobago vs Samoa: 48 – 52
Pool D: 
Barbados vs Malaysia: 62 – 38
England vs South Africa: 62 – 32

Day 5, 9th to 16th Placing: Trinidad and Tobago 42, Singapore 32
14/11/2007

In the second match of the 9th to 16th playoff section of the New World Netball World Championships this afternoon, Singapore had reason to be confident, after beating Trinidad & Tobago twice at the 5 Nations Netball Cup in September.

However, it was the Caribbean side that started the match like winners, scoring first, off Singapore’s pass, and adding five more goals before the Asian champions replied. Singapore’s mid-court struggled against their rivals but staunch defence by Premila Hirubalan and Charlene Porima, who came on at centre, revived Singapore’s spirit and, more importantly, increased their share of possession.

But the Singapore’s shooters were finding it hard to get past theTrinidad & Tobago defence and their defenders were able to pick up any loose ball with ease. Similarly, the Caribean’s passage through to their shooters in the goal circle became more difficult as Singapore regained their composure.

Li Ling, left knee heavily strapped, joined Chen Huifen in the goal circle to boost Singapore’s shooting power and claw back Trinidad & Tobago’s lead to 11-9 at the first break.

Singapore picked up again quickly in the second quarter and some fine defensive work by Ng and Hirubalan gained precious turnover ball. Li faltered slightly in the goal circle against the spectacularly aerial Goal Keeper, Kemba Duncan, but she and Chen persisted and Singapore briefly took the lead half-way through the second quarter.

Trinidad & Tobago’s athletic mid-courters and Trinidad and Tobago’s Goal Shooter, Wilson’s ability to pull down lobs for easy shots under the post put them back in front and they held a 21-18 lead at half-time.

Li stayed on the bench after that break, replaced by Tan Huiyan. Trinidad & Tobago resumed smartly, adding three goals before the unflappable Chen scored for Singapore.

Li returned with just over eight minutes to go in the third quarter, but her accuracy suffered under the pressures exerted by the revamped defensive pair of George at goal keep and La Roche at goal defence. The Calypso Girls’ athleticism through the mid-court, sharp passing into the circle and Wilson’s reliability and sheer power under the net began to tell.

For Singapore, Porima’s constant availability to her team-mates through the court and around the goal circle was notable at this stage of the game as Singapore tried to penetrate Trinidad & Tobago’s defence.

Their success was limited though, and Trinidad & Tobago held a 33-25 lead going into the fourth quarter. Li switched to goal attack with Tan at goal shoot but neither that, nor the gritty efforts of Singapore’s defenders could turn the game around.

Trinidad and Tobago finally pulled away to win 42-32.

Singapore will go on to play Barbados, who lost to Botswana earlier today by 43 – 44, in tomorrow’s match and play for the 13th to 16th world placing.

Other Results

Fiji vs Scotland: 58 – 37
Wales vs Malaysia: 69 – 32

Day 6, 13th to 16th Placing: Barbados 44, Singapore 43
15/11/2007

Two Asian countries are set to meet tomorrow to play for the 15th and 16th placing at the New World Netball World Championships 2007 at the Trust Stadium.

Singapore lost narrowly to Barbados 43 – 44 while Malaysia lost to Scotland 40 – 64 in today’s quarter-finals games.

Barbados started brightly against Singapore and it took 6 minutes into the game before Singapore started responding. The Singapore girls did well to put back some shots and the first quarter ended 15 – 11 to Barbados.

The Singapore team were fantastic in their defending and with excellent fighting spirit, they closed the game and was on spar with Barbados at the end of the 2nd quarter, with the scores 23 – 23.

The 3rd quarter saw the Barbados team in charged as they pushed to a 6 goal lead, putting the score at 36 – 30.

Singapore fought a tremendous comeback and kept themselves calm even when the time was clicking. With accurate passes, great defending and tireless spirit from every single player, they were only one goal away when they ran out of time.

Singapore will meet Malaysia tomorrow at 12.10pm (SG time: 7.10am) as the teams play for the 15th and 16th world placing.

Other Results

Botswana vs Trinidad and Tobago: 39 – 38
England vs Malawi: 81 – 34
Australia vs Cook Islands: 90 – 22
Fiji vs Wales: 68 – 36

Day 7, 15th/16th Placing: Singapore 59, Malaysia 44
16/11/2007

Singapore beat Malayisa to finish 15th in the Worlds

Singapore finished in 15th place at the 2007 New World Netball World Championships when they beat their neighbours Malaysia 59-44 in their playoff match at Trusts Stadium, Auckland today.

It was a good final game for Singapore who will now head home to prepare to host the 2011 Netball World Championships.

Singapore was in control for most of the match, showing more poise and structure, to lead 15-7 after the first quarter and edged their advantage to 10 goals, 27-17, at half-time. They dominated the third quarter to stretch their lead to 45-30, although Malaysia came back in the final quarter which was tied, 14-all.

“It was nice to win,” said Singapore captain Jean Ng. “Our whole team has enjoyed the competition, playing against the best teams in the world.

“We look forward now to hosting the next world championship, and to working hard in the next four years to continue to improve.”

Tan Huiyan led the way in the scoring circle for the winners, making 16 from 22 attempts at goal shoot and two from two at goal attack, while Li Ling, who injured her knee in the early stages of the tournament, had an outstanding game, making 26 of 33 attempts. Jeanine Heng came on in the 4th quarter and had an excellent game too.

The New World Netball World Championships 2007 continues as the top 8 teams will play for ranking. Australia will meet England today for a mouth-watering semi-finals while New Zealand will compete against Jamaica for the finals spot.

Other Results

9th/10th playoff – Fiji vs Botswana: 65 – 20
11th/12th playoff – Trinidad and Tobago vs Wales: 48 – 45
13th/14th playoff – Barbados vs Scotland: 51 – 45 
Top 1 to 4 – New Zealand vs Jamaica: 59– 49
Top 1 to 4 – Australia vs England: 51– 33
Top 4 to 8 – Malawi vs Cook Islands: 61– 47
Top 4 to 8 – South Africa vs Samoa: 54– 50

Day 8, New World Netball World Championships Finals: Australia 42, New Zealand 38
17/11/2007

Australia – Winner of the New World Netball World Championships

Australia regained a familiar piece of silverware when they defeated New Zealand 42-38 in a bruising New World Netball World Championship final in Auckland tonight.

Australia confirmed their pre-tournament favouritism to etch their name on the trophy for a ninth time.

The low-scoring match managed to keep the 7000-strong crowd glued to their seats, thanks to the non-stop intensity and the battling qualities of the two great rivals, who once again presented one of their showcase epics.

Time and again New Zealand fought back from adversity as Australia threatened to take off.

Magnificent and tenacious defence by captain Liz Ellis, Mo’onia Gerrard, Selina Gilsen and Natalie von Bertouch gave Australia a slight edge throughout, but the New Zealanders showed an abundance of fighting spirit.

New Zealand fought back valiantly on several occasions during the second half, but Australia’s great defensive wall meant they continued to live off scraps. 
Australia enjoyed quarter leads of 13-10, 27-20 and 35-32.

Rugged defensive efforts were the feature of the game as both sets of shooters came under extreme pressure and missed easy shots.

New Zealand managed to grab two late rebounds thanks to Casey Williams and Sheryl Scanlan but lost the opportunity to equalise as the Australian defence snuffed out the last gasp chance from the New Zealanders.

Australia held their nerve in a gripping final few minutes as New Zealand fell just short of raining on their party with a late flurry.

“When that final whistle went there was a feeling of everything,’’ Ellis said. “There was relief, happiness, excitement. We have just worked so hard and sacrificed an awful lot for this.’’

Ellis said she never felt the win was in the bag until the final whistle went.

“There was just so much pressure on every single attacking play that we had so there was no point where I thought we had it until the final whistle went,’’ she said.  

Story from www.worldnetballchamps.com

Other Results

3rd/4th playoff – Jamaica vs England: 53 – 52
5th/6th playoff – Malawi vs South Africa: 52 – 49
7th/8th playoff – Cook Islands vs Samoa: 56 – 55

Final Rankings

1st: Australia
2nd: New Zealand 
3rd: Jamaica 
4th: England 
5th: Malawi 
6th: South Africa 
7th: Cook Islands 
8th: Samoa 
9th: Fiji 
10th : Botswana
11th: Trinidad and Tobago
12th: Wales
13th: Barbados
14th: Scotland
15th: Singapore
16th: Malaysia