Wales Look To Recover Against Uganda After Nia Jones Admits Lost Discipline Proved Costly

By Hannah Blackwell

Wales will go in search of a second victory at the Netball World Cup when they face Uganda on Wednesday – after captain Nia Jones admitted New Zealand had brought them back to earth with a bump.

A day after the Welsh Feathers had earned their first win in South Africa – against Sri Lanka – the current world champions, the Silver Ferns, reminded Wales of the high standards at the top of the global game.

Wales dug in at times and earned some attacking success, but could not prevent a heavy 83-34 defeat.

Netball World Cup 2023 – Cape Town 🇿🇦

Wales into stage 2 vs New Zealand, Uganda and T&T. #NWC2023
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— Gemma Davies (@gemma_strings) July 31, 2023

Jones said: “We knew today was probably a bit out of reach for us in terms of where we’re at as a national team.

“There were structures that we put out today that worked and if they worked against these guys, we know that they will work against Uganda and Trinidad and Tobago, that’s what we really need to look at and stick to it for a little bit longer.

“I think we lost a bit of our discipline, we know they off-mark, they have got a break zone and we fell into their traps a little bit too often today.”

Today we come up against the World number two team New Zealand 🇳🇿

📅 Monday 31st July
⏰ 10AM (BST), 11AM (SAST)
📺 Live on Sky Sports & BBC
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— Wales Netball | Pêl-Rwyd Cymru (@WalesNetball_) July 31, 2023

The Silver Ferns showed why they are highly fancied to retain their trophy as they went 40-16 up at half-time, led 65-22 by the end of the third quarter, and then stretched their winning margin in the fourth quarter.

Wales now take on Uganda, looking to lift themselves from fifth place out of six in Group G.

They finished the first stage of the competition third out of four in Group C, with their two defeats and one victory carried over into the second phase.

After the Ugandans, Wales will face Trinidad and Tobago in their final match before the knockout and placings stage.

🇳🇿The reigning champs are committed to keeping their title with another WIN, against 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿WALES! 83-34👏

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