BARBADOS FINISHED 13TH at the 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney, as hosts Australia won a third straight title before a record crowd at the Allphones Arena on Sunday.
Barbados defeated Zambia 53-38, while Australia built on an early lead and held off New Zealand 58-55.
Jamaica finished fourth after being at the receiving end of a 66-44 defeat against England, a reversal from last year’s Commonwealth Games.
Trinidad and Tobago, the other Caribbean nation, secured ninth place with a 64-51 victory over Samoa.
Although the top six places remain unchanged, there has been significant shake-up from seven to 16 which will affect the next world rankings.
Australian fans get on their feet as the eventual champions take an early lead against New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Malawi Queen, Mwai Kumwenda of the Malawi Queens earned the Player of the Tournament award, shooting 321 goals with a 91 per cent accuracy.
A record 16 849 people watched the final at the venue.
Summarised scores:
Australia 58 (Caitlin Bassett 48/51, Natalie Medhurst 10/13). New Zealand 55 (Bailey Mes 17/22, Maria Tutaia 38/53). Quarter scores: 16-7, 30-22, 43-37.
Barbados 53 (Faye Sealy 20/23, Shonica Wharton 22/25. Nikita Piggott 11/13). Zambia 38 (Carol Moono 4/8, Elizabeth Bwalya 17/24, Lucy Jere 7/12, Diana Banda 10/15). Quarter scores: 12-22, 22-20, 38-30.
Final Results and Placings
1-2: Australia 58, New Zealand 55
3-4: England 66, Jamaica 44
5-6: South Africa 48, Malawi 46
7-8: Wales 64, Uganda 41
9-10: Trinidad and Tobago 64, Samoa 51
11-12: Fiji 51, Scotland 41
13-14: Barbados 53, Zambia 38
15-16: Singapore 59, Sri Lanka 32 (SAT/PR)
