Emily Handyside Tells Wales They Must Back Up Win When They Clash With Scotland

By Hannah Blackwell

Wales coach Emily Handyside has urged her team to back-up their victory over Trinidad and Tobago and claim a ninth-place finish at the Netball World Cup.

The Welsh Feathers earned their second victory of the tournament with a convincing 70-55 win that sets up a final game shoot-out against Scotland on Saturday to decide ninth and 10th places.

“It felt so good to win today, and win well,” said Handyside.

“We’ve been building towards that performance. Now we have to back it up on Saturday for our last game against Scotland.”

Wales have defeated Trinidad & Tobago at a Netball World Cup for the first time in nine attempts!#NWC2023

Danny Dalton pic.twitter.com/Wy75lBg33l

— Netball Scoop (@NetballScoop) August 3, 2023

It was a notable win for Wales, their first over Trinidad and Tobago in nine World Cup encounters between the nations.

Wales gained a first quarter 18-14 advantage before maintaining the four-goal lead to extend the score to 32-28 at half-time.

The third quarter proved the dominant one for Wales as their shooters took control. Georgia Rowe excelled with 13 goals from her 13 attempts as she finished the match with a 98% shooting average.

The final quarter was a close one, with only one goal the difference between the sides but ultimately the Feathers stood strong to wrap up a memorable 70-55 victory.

Wales captain Nia Jones said: “Trinidad and Tobago brought it to us today, we had loads of problems to figure out, especially in that first half.

“But we’re super fit, we hold that really close to our hearts, and we knew that a 60-minute performance would be needed.

“We had faith in the structures that it would come good and we’d win some much needed ball off the structures that we could surprise them with half way through.”

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Tonga vs. Malawi
South Africa vs. Uganda
Fiji 46 def. by Scotland 62
Wales 70 def. Trinidad & Tobago 55
Jamaica 59 def. New Zealand 48
Australia 55 def. by England 56pic.twitter.com/kWUAu0mXar

— juan alexander (@sensato_el_malo) August 3, 2023