Sports

Fiji Pearls defeat Samoa in pulsating match

June 4, 2014 4:40 am

The Fiji Pearls defeated Samoa 50-46 to win their second Pacific Netball Series match in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands today.

It was a tougher encounter compared to Fiji’s 58-36 win over a second string Cook Islands outfit, the Cook Islands Blacks Pearls yesterday.

Samoa which consists of New Zealand-based players trailed Fiji throughout the match but they managed to come from 14-9 in the first quarter, to get within four points at the end of the third behind Fiji.

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Coach Julie Hoornweg kept her starting lineup with defenders, Matila Waqanidrola (capt/GK), Lusi Robanakavu (GD), Vaiti Waqatabu at centre, wings Teimumu Vukinavanua and Alesi Waqa and shooters Maria Lutua and Afa Rusivakula.

She only started making changes in the third quarter with Raijeli Daveua substituting Lusi Robanakavu to shift to goalkeeper while Waqanidrola switched to the GD position.

Samoa got with one point difference at one point in the final quarter but, determinations saw the Fiji Pearls finish on top.

Fiji faces Papua New Guinea tomorrow at 4.45pm.