Pearls suffer second consecutive loss

The 16th ranked Crest Fiji Pearls were yesterday thrashed 61-35 by the First Nations Black Swans in their second match of the inaugural Spirit Series now underway at Netball Central, Parramatta, Sydney, Australia.

They also lost in their first match, 47-53, to 23-ranked Singapore.

With the two losses, they have failed to qualify for tomorrow’s gold-medal match; they now settle for the bronze medal play-off.

The Black Swans dominated in all the quarters of the match, winning 18-10, in the first to a comfortable 33-18 lead at halftime.

They continued their dominance in the third quarter with a 25-goal lead before they nailed the last 15 minutes with another 10 goals.

The Pearls will face Papua New Guines Pepes today in their last round robin match.

Meanwhile, the side had six debutants inlcuding Esther Dawai, Leehava Saverio, Ana Tolia Nuku, Vutaeli Tokaduadua, Eseta Waqaira, and Nanise Waqaira.

“Thank you for giving your all on court and wearing the Crest Fiji colours with pride,” a netball Fiji statement said of the debutants on Wednesday.

FIXTURES (FIJI TIME)

Today: 1pm First Nations Black Swans v Singapore Vandas, 3pm Fiji Pearls v PNG Pepes

Saturday: 12pm Bronze Medal match, 2pm Gold Medal match