Lankan netballers edge out Papua New Guinea

YASARATNE GAMAGE

Sri Lanka scored a consolation win over Papua New Guinea by a close margin of 73 goals to 71 in the FairPrice Foundation Nations Cup 2011 organized by Singapore Netball

Federation which concluded on December 11 at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Singapore.

It was the 6th game for Sri Lanka after losing the previous games to Singapore (73-36), Fiji (24-81), Malaysia (44-69), Namibia (49-77) and the game with Papua New Guinea ( 70-80 ). The team took wing to gain experience ahead of the Asian Championship which Sri Lanka hosts in 2012.

PNG took the lead in the first quarter by 19-15 but Sri Lankan netballers came

back in the second quarter when they added 23 goals while PNG only shot 13.

The game got tougher and by the end of third quarter Sri Lanka were still

leading by 3 goals when PNG were 53.

The game ended in a two goal margin win for Sri Lanka by 73-71.

Fijians won the championship in the finals when they defeated Singapore by 51-42.

Tournament results for Sri Lanka.

5th December 2011 - Singapore vs Sri Lanka - Singapore won 73- 36

6th December 2011 - Sri Lanka vs Fiji The superior Fijians thrashed the young Sri Lankan side 81 -24

7th December 2011 - Malaysia vs Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka put up a good fight against Malaysia but lost by 69-44

8th December 2011 - Sri Lanka vs Namibia

Namibia beat Sri Lanka 77-49

10th December 2011 - Sri Lanka vs Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea held Sri Lanka to a close margin

11th December 2011 - Sri Lanka vs Papua New Guinea

Sri Lanka scored first win of the tour.