Netball: Australia stand out in day of big wins

By Richard Boock

CHRISTCHURCH - Australia starred in precisely the area New Zealand struggled in when they began their world netball championship defence with a runaway win over Singapore last night.

Less than an hour after the Silver Ferns had been given such a torrid time by the Welsh, Australia were again providing compelling evidence why they should be considered favourites to retain the title as they steamrolled the 16th seeds 91-32.

In stark contrast to New Zealand shooters Donna Loffhagen, Belinda Colling and Teresa Tairi - who averaged 76 per cent against Wales (and only then because Tairi came to the rescue) - Australia were untroubled in converting a mountain of possession against Singapore, with the shooting quartet of Vicki Wilson, Jacqui Delaney, Jenny Borlase and Sharelle McMahon averaging 86 per cent between them.

The world champions prevented Singapore from scoring prolifically in any one quarter, leading 24-5 after 15 minutes, 40-17 at halftime, and 68-24 at the three-quarter mark, with McMahon (23 from 25) and Wilson (28 from 32) profiting most from their mortgage on the ball.

Australia's big win was just one of many, however, on the day the world championships moved into full swing, with South Africa, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago all posting scores in excess of 70 in their opening matches, and England looking impressive during their 63-33 win over Fiji.

South Africa had another sharp-shooting captain to the fore as they signalled their intentions to make an impact on this tournament, Irene Van Dyk nailing 61 goals from 67 attempts as the Republic crushed Northern Ireland 88-25.

Coach Bennie Saayman said afterwards she promised earlier in the year that South Africa would return to New Zealand with a better team, and that this year's side had the potential to upset as much as the 1995 finalists.

Van Dyk believed South Africa still had plenty to work on despite the winning margin, and said the strength of the side was in their depth, rather than with any one starting line-up or combination.

"One thing this team has over the 1995 side is that we have a great bench," she said. "We have more of a squad now and can adjust well to different styles of opposition by using different players."

The Cook Islands began their campaign with a hard-fought 59-50 win over Barbados, but Trinidad and Tobago had a much easier time beating Canada 78-32, and Jamaica welcomed the United States to the championships with an 82-34 hammering.

World Championship draw (main section) for today: Malawi v Fiji, 8.45am, Trinadad and Tobago v Northern Ireland, 10.30am, England v USA, 12.15pm, Jamaica v Singapore, 2pm, South Africa v Barbados, 3.45pm, Cook Islands v Wales, 5.30pm, Australia v Samoa, 7.30. (New Zealand and Canada have a rest day)