Singapore fail to break Northern Ireland’s winning streak in Netball Nations Cup

Story by Chan Hui Mui/Red Sports. Pictures by REDintern Thomas Tan and Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.

Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Wednesday, December 9, 2009 – Northern Ireland recorded their fourth win in the Netball Nations Cup after cruising past Singapore 52-35 to qualify for the final.

The game started with both teams converting each others’ centre passes. Singapore’s ability to settle down fast aided them, and they took a quick lead at 5-3. However, as the game progressed, the hosts lost their composure and committed several unforced errors, gifting Northern Ireland several turnovers. Strong defence from Northern Ireland further forced a couple of held balls from Singapore.

Northern Ireland took advantage of Noleen Lennon’s (GS) height, sending several lobs into the goal circle. This gave Singapore a hard time in stopping their opponent from scoring. Northern Ireland soon wrapped up the quarter 12-7.

In the second quarter, Grace Sim replaced Pearline Chan in the Centre position, Lin Qingyi came in as the Goal Defence and Jean Ng moved from Goal Defence to Goal Keeper, replacing Premila Hirubalan. The adjusted defencing line-up paid dividends immediately, forcing several turnovers from Northern Ireland.

Singapore valued the turnovers and gave Northern Ireland a hard time in overcoming the Singapore attack. The hosts gave their opponents no chance to intercept the lobs that were sent straight into Li Ling’s (GS) hands. Coupled with accurate shooting from their shooters, Singapore narrowed the score margin to 18-19 at half-time.

The third quarter saw Northern Ireland step up accurate feeding to Lennon (GS). Singapore, who kept the same combination of players, found no solution to overcome these lobs. Unforced errors from the Singapore attackers gave Northern Ireland more turnovers to further widen the lead to 10 points.

With the score at 36-26, it seemed like Singapore would have a hard time in the last quarter. The team made several changes to the lineup, but their defence still had no answer to the Northern Ireland’s lobs to Lennon.

Poor communication between the Singapore attackers further exacerbated the situation, preventing Singapore from narrowing the score margin despite Yeo Pei Qin (GS) and Tan Hui Yan (GA) having good movements in the goal circle. Northern Ireland eventually wrapped up the game 52-35.

Singapore’s coach Jill McIntosh commented after the game, “Northern Ireland’s Goal Shooter (Lennon) was too tall to defend. The ball was being sent quickly into her hands, making it too easy to score for Northern Ireland.”

In the other game, Scotland beat Canada to take the other seat in the final. Singapore on the other hand, will need to win their last game against Tanzania in order to have a chance to make the 3/4th placing playoff.