Nations Cup 2012:

Sri Lanka make comeback

Yasaratne Gamage- Reporting from Singapore

Sri Lankan netballers registered their first victory on the second day of the Netball Nations Cup 2012 when they overcame strong Namibia by 69-65 in an action packed 60 minutes at Toa Payoh Sports Hall in Singapore.

Sri Lankan lasses, after gaining a three goal lead (18-15) in the first quarter, faced heavy opposition from Namibia after the break, but finished the second session with a goal ahead. Sri Lanka led 37-33.

The real battle started in the third quarter when Namibia bounced back to the game with some excellent goals from the goal shooter-captain Jatinda Kambatuku and goal attacker Eve Hamwaalwa. But Sri Lankan defense got stronger while Tharjini kept on shooting more goals. How ever Namibia finished the third quarter with a lead of a goal.

The final 15 minutes saw a tremendous game of netball as Namibia were trying to remain in the lead amidst Sri Lankan resistance. Half way through the last quarter Namibia were in a strong position with a lead of four goals.

With four minutes left on the clock, Sri Lanka surpassed the Namibian score and then went on to score three consecutive goals, including one in the last minute.

Goal shooter Tharjini who was the headache for Namibia, scored 66 goals while Alwis added three.

Co-captain Gayathri said that it was a tough game but played with a different strategy and was happy to win the first game in the tournament having lost to Tanzania on the opening day. “We did not have much of a practice, so lasses are really happy about the victory, she added,” said Gayathri.

In the second match yesterday, Singapore easily overcame Ireland by 54-34. The hosts led the game by 29-16 at the half time and continued the same trend in the final 30 minutes. Tanzania beat Malaysia by 61-36 in the third game.