Despite some stunning work by veteran Malawian GA Mary Waya, who appeared to take on the English defence singlehandedly, the home side was simply too powerful and too versatile for the African visitors to overcome, as England ran out 66-36 winners.

Starting with the former U21 front line of Brownfield, Cookey, Binns and Bayman, England were electrifying from the start, and their pace and accuracy frequently left the Malawian team clutching at air.

They ended the first quarter 18-7 ahead, and despite Bayman being replaced by Elsley at C as a precaution, following a knock to the thigh, for the second period, the momentum stayed with the home team to the half time break, when they led 31-19.

Malawi emerged reinvigorated after the half time break, and went goal for goal for the first few minutes of the quarter.  A swift one-two between the irrepressible GA Mary Waya, who was a joy to watch throughout the game, and GS Kumwenda could have allowed the Africans to keep up the pressure, but the youngster missed a sitter under the post, and England stepped up a gear. 

Mwayi Kumwenda in action

With Cookey and Brownfield now on song, a run of nine goals effectively put the game out of Malawi's reach, as England pushed on to lead 48-26 at three quarter time.

Naida Hutchinson and Jo Harten were introduced for the final period, at GD and GS respectively, and they appeared to give the English side even more impetus, with Hutchinson, in particular, driving the ball effectively through the mid-court. 

However, Malawi were not to be dismissed, and with 19-year-old GS Kumwenda plucking in some seemingly hopeless feeds, their work rate never dropped.

Ultimately, it was England's pace and power which saw them through, although Malawi's coach Griffin Saenda also called for more consistency of umpiring in the next test, as he felt this had impeded his players.  He promised that they would emerge revitalised, and that the next game could be "explosive" - those with tickets would do well to arrive early!

The second match in the Co-operative International Test series is on Wednesday night at the Coventry Skydome before the series concludes on Friday at Wembley Arena. Catch all the action from the first match tomorrow on Sky Sports Xtra.

SEARCH NETBALL for:

ENGLAND LINE UP
GS Brownfield, GA Cookey, WA Binns, C Bayman, WD Clarke, GD Newton (capt), GK Beckford-Chambers

Changes/substitutions:  3rd Q:  WA Corbin, 4th Q:  Clark to C, Newton to WD, GD Hutchinson

MALAWI LINE UP
GS Mdzagada, GA Waya, WA Chawinga, C Malenga, WD Kayira, GD Mktule, GK Kumwenda

The Malawi Queens

Changes/substitutions:  2nd Q:  WD Gedion, 3rd Q:  Kumwenda to GS, WA Mpinganjira, GK Nkhoma, 4th Q:  Chawinga to WA, Mpinganjira to C, Malenga to WD

PLAYER OF THE MATCH:  Eboni Beckford-Chambers

Share... • Got A Story? Get in touch online • Email the news desk directly here!

Next story... Loneliness of the long distance Netballer WHILE England's netballers prepare for next week's test series against Malawi, one for...

Print This Article

Email To A Friend

Contact Us About Article

Get RSS