Samoa netball

The team won the 5th and 6th place play-offs 59-51 against Kenya.

The team had a strong start in the game leading 16-11 in the first quarter, before they stretched their lead 33-19 in the second quarter.

Samoa continued their lead 44-37 in the third quarter.

Out of the six games they played, Samoa lost a two games to Malawi 57-39 and to Tonga 53-79 at the event in the Gold Coast, Australia. 

The game showcased tough competition from both teams but Tonga proved to be the toughest and led after the first quarter 23-10.

This is before the team extended their lead 45-17 in the second quarter and stayed in the lead right after the third quarter 66-30.

Samoa will now face Singapore in the semifinals of the tournament at the Gold Coast in Australia, tonight.

Malawi proved to be too strong for the Samoan side after finishing the first quarter with a 15-11 lead.

Samoa came back in the game but it was not good enough to close the 10 points gap between them and Malawi.

Malawi led at second half 31-21.

Samoa failed to score any goals in the third quarter, allowing Malawi to extend with a 44-31 lead.

Samoa will now meet Tonga in the fourth round of the competition, tonight.

The side defeated Fiji 64-55 in Australia, yesterday.

Samoa started their lead from the first quarter 15-13 and continued to extend their lead in the second quarter 33-28.

Fiji fought back but was not enough to catch up to the strong Samoan side that continued to lead in the third quarter 48-41.

Samoa defeated PNG 66-48 in their first game.

They will be meeting Malawi in their next game tonight.

The Pacific's other teams Papua New Guinea and Fiji were unfortunate not to win their opening matches.

Tala dominate Singapore

Defending their series title claimed last year the Tala of Tonga thrashed Singapore 85-40 to open their account.

In the first quarter the Tonga Tala led 21-12 which they followed up with a strong second quarter earning them a 20-goal lead going into half time, with Uneeq Palavi strong in the goal circle and Kelea Iongi strong in defence.

The tournament will be held at Queensland Gold Coast.

The netball side has named its 15-member squad for the competition, and they will be playing against Papua New Guinea in their first game on Monday, April 24.

Samoa will then be facing Fiji before they take on Malawi in their last pool game.

The team is in Pool A alongside Malawi, Fiji and PNG. Pool B to feature teams from Tonga, Zambia, Singapore and Kenya.

Samoa Netball side:

1. Abigail Latu – Meafou

2. Ariana Luamanu

3. Armani Apelu

4. Bryah Gafa

“We’re honoured to support such talented athletes, and we look forward to cheering you all on at next month’s competition,” said Lawson.

The team is currently training hard for the competition that will be hosted in the Gold Coast next month.

Samoa will be joined by returning teams Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Fiji, as well as debutants from Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia at next month’s competition.

Ainsleyana Puleiata has been named Captain and Eseta Autagavaia will be the Vice-Captain of the side.

Samoa is one of the five teams from the competition vying for the two spots available from Oceania to proceed to Netball World Cup 2023 in Cape Town.

The match between Samoa and Tonga will be held tomorrow at 7.30pm (Fiji Time) straight after the match between Fiji and Papua New Guinea at 5.30pm (Fiji Time) in Suva, Fiji.

Samoa Netball Squad:

Due to border restrictions, two training camps were conducted simultaneously for NZ-based players and Samoa-based players in December last year.

The squad has selected 22 members.

The Netball World Youth Cup 2021 will be held in Fiji from 1-19 December.

Samoa Netball Under-21 Training squad:

Last month's Oceania qualifying tournament was cancelled because of Covid-19, with Samoa securing their spot in Suva based on the latest world rankings.

The Pacific Island nation finished 11th at the last Youth World Champs in 2017 and is planning to hold 'virtual trials' to help select their final squad.

National head coach Frances Solia, who is based in New Zealand, admitted the idea was initially frowned upon.