Over the weekend, Scotland ended 2017 with two victories against Samoa in two high scoring games.
The academy of Sport & Wellbeing in Perth was the venue for Scotland’s final games of the calendar year. With the Commonwealth Games on the horizon early next year, the Thistles would have wanted to take the all important momentum going into 2018 and did so with two victories over Samoa.
Scotland 56 – 39 Samoa
The first game of the series took place on Saturday afternoon, where Scotland raced out the blocks, scoring several unanswered goals. Goal shooter Bethan Goodwin and goal attack Lynsey Gallagher linked up well in the final third to open up a eight point lead at the end of the first quarter.
The lead extended in the second quarter, where once again Scotland impressed in the final third. They would go into half time 33-15 up.
Samoa were much improved during the second half, with goal shooter Betty Tuipulota getting the opportunity to reduce the lead. The scores going into the final quarter stood at 41-29.
Scotland once again started the quarter strongly with a few quick goals from the off. Samoa replied with their own but the deficit was too much to overturn as scores finished 56-39 to the Thistles.
Scotland 63 – 36 Samoa
Game number two would take place 24 hours later, where Scotland could take the series with another win. They once again raced ahead in the first quarter thanks to good work in the center from captain Claire Brownie. It would finish 19-8 after the first fifteen minutes.
Samoa got themselves a few early goals in the second quarter but Scotland would finish the quarter very strongly with impressive play by Emily Nicholl. They would take a twelve goal lead into the second half.
It was in the second half that Samoa impressed during the first match, where they would win the half, keeping up a goal conversion rate of 88%. They would need another big performance here if they wanted to get back into the game, however, the Thistles were once again efficient in the mid court. They took a 46-30 lead into the final fifteen.
Scotland finished the game very strongly, winning the final quarter by scoring 17 goals, ensuring the series victory and a winning end to their calendar year.
Match Officials (Umpires) – Alison Davies, Louise Travis, Ian Fuller
Next up for the Thistles is the all important Netball Europe World Cup Qualifiers at the end of next month. As for Samoa they travel down to Wales where they will play another two games, with the first being on Tuesday (5th).
Photo Credit – Netball Scotland
