NETBALL
5 Nations Netball Cup
Singapore vs Sri Lanka
Friday, 7 September 2007
Pictures by Leslie Tan. © Red Sports/soulbreath pictures
Story by Lorna Campbell.
Singapore produced a fourth fantastic win in the 5 Nations Netball Cup against Sri Lanka 60-54. They take top spot in the table and now face a championship finale against Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) tomorrow.
A Tharjini Sandwich. 2.06m goalshooter, Tharjini Sivalingam of Sri Lanka, gets caught between Singapore’s Jean Ng (front) and Premila Hirubalan. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports
The Sri Lankan side that lost to T&T on Monday by 42 points were a different outfit, keeping the home side on their toes for the duration. Pearline Chan battled against the challenges of Priscilla Koch while 170cm Premila Hirubalan once again stood firm in defence and made some crucial blocks against the 206cm goal shooter Tharjini SIvalingam.
Li Ling, Chen Huifen and Jeanine Heng shared the goal shooting duties for Singapore, landing 30 points by halftime, five ahead of Sri Lanka. That small margin and the pressure remained going into the final quarter (46-41), but the girls kept their cool and drew on their previous victories to keep a clean sheet and take the match 60-54.
Chen Huifen of Singapore is about to pull down a pass while Sri Lanka’s Kumarine Silva looks on. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports
One final match now stands between Singapore and the 5 Nations Netball Cup and coach Kate Carpenter is pleased with their achievements: "We've put ourselves into the final and that was what we were aiming for. The girls did well tonight and you could see the crowd really enjoyed a battle against a local team.
"It's now all about getting it right tomorrow. Our preparations will be the same as we have been doing throughout the week and if we put together a match as we did on Thursday, we will put ourselves in a very good position."
Pearline Chan of Singapore tussles with Sri Lanka’s captain Gayathri Lankatilleke. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports
In the penultimate group match, Canada and Northern Ireland were both hungry to grab their first win of the tournament and it was the Irish that came out on top 44-34.
In a game that was played at a slower tempo and lacked the flow of previous performances, Canada took the first quarter by three goals. It was once again down to 18 year old Lisa Bowman as goal shooter for the Irish to keep her side in the running. They settled into their rhythm and levelled the scores at the break then pushed hard to create a comfortable lead in the third. Brittany Waters and Rebekah Eatmon combined well in the centre to keep Canada on the score sheet, but solid defending from Deborah McCarthy and Sonya Martin gave Northern Ireland the win they were so eager to get, and a match against Sri Lanka tomorrow to determine third place.
Noleen Lennon of Northern Ireland (in green) defends against Sabrina Versteeg of Canada. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports
Coach of Northern Ireland, Denise Prue is the delighted they have made it to the finals: "This has been a brilliant experience for the girls. They are a young squad so this has been a great opportunity to see how they fare against other national sides. We really wanted to get a win under our belts and we fought hard to get it.
She continued: "We will enjoy our final match tomorrow and use this as a stepping stone for the European Championships in February next year. Singapore has been so welcoming - everyone is so friendly and polite - and this visit will be a lasting memory for us all."
“Is my hair tickling your face?” Shawnette Cockburn beats out Kyla Bowman of Northern Ireland to the ball. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports
The final draws have been decided so the crowds and clangers will be out in force at Toa Payoh Sports Hall to give Singapore their support. T&T, who enjoyed a rest from action tonight, will be fresh and out for revenge after their loss on Thursday, but Singapore are ever-improving and eager to keep the Nations Cup at home for a second time.
Sheryl Thorpe of Canada (in white) had her hands full defending against Lisa Bowman of Northern Ireland in the game. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports
Results:
Day 1
Singapore 44 - 33 Canada (HT 22-18)
Trinidad & Tobago 70 - 28 Sri Lanka (HT 34-10)
Day 2
Canada 41 - 49 Trinidad & Tobago (HT 16-33)
Singapore 46 - 39 Northern Ireland (HT 19-22)
Day 3
Northern Ireland 37 - 59 Trinidad & Tobago (HT 16-31)
Sri Lanka 55-46 Canada (HT 29-28)
Day 4
Northern Ireland 55-50 Sri Lanka (HT 27-26)
Trinidad & Tobago 40 – 55 Singapore (HT 19-22)
Day 5
Canada 34-44 Northern Ireland (HT 20-20)
Singapore 60-54 Sri Lanka (HT 30-25)
Remaining fixtures:
8th September
1.00pm - 3rd & 4th placing (Northern Ireland vs Sri Lanka)
3.00pm - 1st & 2nd placing (Singapore vs Trinidad & Tobago)
4.15pm - Closing Ceremony
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