Barbados need one game where all of the elements that comprise a good netball game come together, and coach Alwyn Babb hopes that it happens in today’s game against South Africa.
Despite victories in the last two matches, Barbados (2-1) are in a must-win situation against South Africa to stay in third place in Pool B and play for fifth place at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.
South Africa (1-2) are also in a must-win after losing 29-70 to New Zealand yesterday. The African side are ranked sixth in the world, five places ahead of Barbados.
“We have to play strong, tough defence and get as much service to the circle as early as possible in the game. We have to start and press the advantage and look to take control,” Babb told the Saturday Sun yesterday in an interview.
“We have seen them play and we are clear in our mind what we need to do to win that game. We expect it to be close based on the results of the games.”
Babb said the midcourt defence would also be important.
“The teams have improved their outside shooting; very few are waiting to get close to the pole. Once the ball is in the circle they take they shot and they’re very accurate, so we need to practise some midcourt defence.”
Although Barbados have been successful in securing their centre pass, Babb said he had to guard against the slow start in the third quarter which may be a result of the five-minute half-time break.
The coach said they couldn’t afford to start slowly and then have to fight to catch up, but they had been playing a strong fourth quarter.
Concerning the 61-55 victory against Papua New Guinea on Thursday, he said that game was very competitive and it was the experience of Lydia Bishop and a much-improved Nikita Piggott which secured the win after their opponents took a one-goal lead in the third quarter.
Laurel Browne went in at goal keeper to nullify the overhead pass into the shooter and with Damisha Croney’s fresh legs in the centre court, they were able to pull away.
Yesterday, England swamped the Cook Islands 81-33 and stayed in second place in Group B, while Group A leaders Australia rested several starters in their 74-35 victory over Malawi, and Jamaica bounced back to beat Samoa 70-46.
Summarised scoresPool AJamaica 70 (Romelda Aiken 50/54, Simone Forbes 7/9, Jhaniele Fowler 13/15). Samoa 46 (Sepuita Langi 36/44, Shirin Chang 4/6, Barbara Faasavalu 6/9). Half-time: 33-26
Australia 74 (Catherine Cox 38/43, Susan Pratley 36/39). Malawi 35 (Mwayi Kumwenda 21/26, Sindi Simtowe 4/5, Mary Waya 10/18). Half-time: 35-19Pool BNew Zealand 70 (Grace Rasmussen 21/35, Daneka Wipiiti 49/57). South Africa 29 (Sindisiwe 23/28, Christine Markgraaff 6/11). Half-time: 32-16England 81 (Louisa Brownfield 35/39, Pamela Cookey 25/27, Rachel Dunn 21/27). Cook Islands 33 (Curly George 17/27, Patricia Te Huna 16/24). Half time: 42-14.
