She Cranes player Shadia Nassanga on Monday won the Player of the Match accolade as Uganda faced off with Jamaica at the ongoing Netball World Cup 2023 competition in Cape Town, South Africa.
With shouts of “defence, defence” from the Jamaican fans in the stands whenever Uganda had the ball, the Sunshine Girls carved out a crucial victory over the She Cranes in a Pool G match in Cape Town on Monday.
Jamaica goalkeeper Shamera Sterling and goal defence Latanya Wilson stuck like glue to She Cranes shooters Mary Cholhok and Irene Eyaru in the first 15 minutes of the match. So much so that Sterling copped a caution from the umpire for persistent contact.
Uganda enjoyed most of the possession at the start of the game. The normally reliable Cholhok however missed four of her 11 shots at goal and this saw the Sunshine Girls 15-11 in the lead after the first quarter.
In the run-up to halftime, the Jamaica midcourt effectively closed the attacking gaps of the She Cranes and got more access to the ball themselves.
Shooter Jhaniele Fowler and goal attack Shanice Beckford maintained a 100 per cent shooting record to put the world number four team 38-21 ahead as the hooter sounded the end of the second quarter.
Uganda took to the court with the same seven players for the second half of the match. With Margret Baagala having another standout centre-court performance, the She Cranes settled down for the first time and allowed the ball to do the work. The result was winning the third quarter 16-11.
The national netball team put on a good display from in the third quarter but could not bridge the 49-37 gap.
The gap widened ever further in the fourth quarter to a 61-49 range despite the cranes’ exceptional display.
Even though it was an equal-scoring last 15 minutes (12-12), Jamaica managed to hang on for the victory. All 12 players got time on the court as every match at this stage of the World Cup is a must-win affair.
Jamaica’s Fowler afterwards acknowledged it was a game with plenty of ebbs and flows.
“There is definitely room for improvement and it was important that the full team take to the court. Today it felt a little disconnected at times and also a bit flat. We need to make sure to connect properly going forward.”
Uganda’s Irene Eyaru said it was the small mistakes that cost her team.
“There was a better effort in the second half and we made some changes to give everyone a chance to show what they are made of. We need to work on a few things to help us improve for the next games.”
SCORES:
Q1: 15-11
Q2: 38-21 (23-9)
Q3: 49-37 (11-16)
Q4: 61-49 (12-12)
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Shadiah Nassanga (Uganda)
Credit: Netball World Cup