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Caerleon’s Georgia Rowe was named player of the series after Wales earned a second win against Samoa in Cardiff.
Goalshooter Rowe shone for Wales during back-to-back netball wins in the Wendy White Series at Sport Wales National Centre.
Samoa were beaten 72-46 in the first game earlier this week, while Wales emerged 71-45 winners on Thursday.
Rowe, 22, only took started playing netball seriously five years ago when her dad, Gary, arranged with then-national netball coach Melissa Hyndman to have a trial.
Gary saw Hyndman’s branded car driving past and noted down the number.
“Georgia was a couch potato, watching TV all day in her dressing gown and I thought she needed to do something with her height,” he said.
“That was on a Monday. We met Melissa on the Wednesday and within three months Georgia was training with the squad and it all escalated from there.”
Today, the 6ft 5ins Rowe is a full Wales international and plays for Cardiff-based Vitality Netball Superleague club Celtic Dragons.
“I wasn’t that into netball at school, but I’ve always been tall and my dad got me into it,” says Rowe.
“I went for a trial, was told I had potential and it snowballed from there.”
She was in the Wales team for both Tests against Samoa and the line-up was: Suzy Drane (captain), Fern Davies, Bethan Dyke, Kyra Jones, Nia Jones, Sarah Llewelyn, Cara Lea Moseley, Eleanor Roberts, Georgia Rowe, Christina Shaw, Leila Thomas and Amanda Varey.
Wales took on Samoa for the first time on Welsh soil and intent on making a big statement ahead of the World Cup qualifiers next January.
Wales used the full width of the court to supply shooter Georgia Rowe and goalattack Sarah Llewelyn with tidy ball.
Head Coach Trish Wilcox made changes over the two games which showed the depth Wales have in their 12.
One Fern Davies interception in particular earned the crowd’s approval.
During the first game Wilcox sent on goalshooter Eleanor Roberts for her first senior cap and the Celtic Dragons player soon scored her first senior international goal.
Game one quarter scores (Wales first): 17-10; 17-11 (34-21); 22-13 (56-34); 16-12 (72-46).
Game two quarter scores (Wales first): 18-11; 20-13 (38-24); 21-9 (59-33); 12-12 (71-45).
Samoa squad: Nicolette Tato (captain), Sanonu Robertson, Giorja Fatu, Liana Hogarth, Seiafi Lafaiali’i-Sapolu, Ariana Luamanu, Sisavaii Muliaga, Terrelle Onesemo, Soli Ropati, Tahnyshavaughn Salona, Sanita To’o and Betty Tuipulotu.
