The Fijian Under-21 team played a good game against world No.1 New Zealand in the Digicel Punjas International Youth Netball Series last night.

Although the team lost 34-61, Coach Vicki Wilson was happy with the improved performance from her players.

“The girls showed marked improvement,”Wilson said.

“We were strong in attack, good structure and variety in our passes and great length in our delivery.

“New Zealand throws up every now and then so we had to play different defensive styles to work our way through which was very pleasing.

“We will keep working and developing depth and I hope this experience will make them realize how hard they have to be able to play in the U21 World Cup in Botswana in July.

“The last quarter of the game just demonstrate our fitness level,” Wilson said.

Wilson praised team captain Episake Gaunavinaka performance as she was strong and read the game well.

New Zealand won the first quarter 18-10 with good contribution from goal-shooter Aliyah Dunn.

NZ pressured the young Fijians and worked to their advantage winning the second quarter 34-19

In the third quarter Matila Vocea played at goal- shooter and combined well with Maliana Rusivakula.  But the NZ defenders were too strong winning the third quarter 44-27.

In the last quarter the Fijians pressured the Kiwis into making mistakes.

NZ coach Kiri Wills praised the performance of the Fijians.

“They are so physical and we will be keeping an eye on them in Botswana,”Wills said.

Fiji plays Samoa in the third and fourth place playoff  at 4pm while NZ take on Australia in the first/second placing at 6.40pm.

Netball Fiji president Wainikiti Bogidrau asked for fans to support the netters in the final day at the Vodafone Arena in Suva today.

“I’m pleading for fans to turn up and cheer on our young netters,” Bogidrau said.

“They need all our support. Fiji plays Samoa and trans-Tasman battle between Australia and New Zealand should be a crackerjack. And it only cost fans $2 flat.”

In the first game, Australia beat Samoa 81-18

Edited by Osea Bola         

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