In a flawless display, the Aussies defeated Fiji 97 to 26 in the last of the pool matches at the World Youth Netball Championship in Cook Island.

 

In the first half Bassette, Browne and Bolton, the West Coast attack end, combined well with Howard in goal attack. They displayed perfect timing and accurate passing to find the spaces and demoralise the Fijians.

The discipline of Steel, Layton and Gilmore in defence limited the attacking opportunities for Fiji, turning over the ball on numerous occasions and moving the ball quickly back into attack for Australia.

Not even the chanting and drums of the Fijian supporters put off Bassette and Howard as they shot Australia to a 47 to 9 goal lead at half time.

 

Coach McKinnis brought Tairi and Eagland on in the third quarter and then Scherian and Caldwell in the final. Once again all combinations worked well. 

`The team is treating each game as the most important. I want them to display intensity, focus and commitment.` said McKinnis. 

Despite being very pleased with the result McKinnis indicated the team still needs to mix it up more.  

 

“Going into the finals we need to be able to play short or make it long,” she said.

 

Australia will play Cook Islands in the quarter final on Monday. “We have a good feeling amongst the group which is important going into the finals,” said McKinnis.

 

"We have great depth, all the players have been out there and this depth gives us confidence."

 

The Australian team will have a run and a touch of the ball tomorrow in preparation for Monday`s quarter final.

 

Other Top 8 matches are as follows:
New Zealand (1st Pool A) v Malawi (2nd Pool D)
Jamaica (1st Pool D) v Northern Ireland (2nd Pool A)
England (1st Pool B) v South Africa (2nd Pool C) 

 

The Middle 8 teams also play quarter-finals tomorrow, as follows:
Fiji v Malaysia
Singapore v Barbados
Trinidad & Tobago v Papua New Guinea
Wales v Samoa