The Classification matches took place earlier today which saw eight teams take to the Gold Coast court for the final time.
5th Placed Playoff – South Africa 53 – 42 Uganda
South Africa started the days action with a victory over Uganda to claim fifth place. This is the Proteas best Commonwealth Games finish since Manchester 2002, following two 6th and one 7th placed finish in recent campaigns. In their debut appearance, Uganda will finish 6th.
The first half was a tight affair, with South Africa just leading by two at the main interval. South Africa scored over 80 goals in their last two matches prior to this and their 53 in this match makes them the second highest scorers in the competition on 363 goals.
Uganda captain Peace Proscovia, added to her personal goal tally with another 19 goals, which takes her competition total to 202.
Shooting
South Africa – 53/58 (91%) – I.Venter 42/46 (91%)
Uganda – 42/48 (88%) – P.Proscovia 19/19 (100%)
Starting Line Ups
South Africa – (GK) P.Maweni, (GD) K.Pretorius, (WD) S.Van der Merwe, (C) E.Burger, (WA) B.Msomi, (GA) M.Holtzhausen, (GS) I.Venter
Uganda – (GK) S.Nanfuka, (GD) J.Nampungu, (WD) B.Kizza, (C) R.Meme, (WA) H.Nakachwa, (GA) R.Nanyonga, (GS) P.Proscovia
9th Placed Playoff – Barbados 48 – 50 Scotland (AET)
It took extra time to determine the outcome of Barbados v Scotland in a breath taking game. Barbados held the advantage at half time with a slender 2 goal lead but the Thistles pulled it back to 31 all going into the final quarter.
It looked like the Bajan Gems had it won but a last second goal from Lynsey Gallagher ensured that the match would head to extra time. The Thistles held their nerve and took the win, to take 9th position – which is where they finished in Glasgow 2014. Barbados finish 10th which is an improvement from Glasgow 2014 where they finished one position below in 11th.
Shooting
Barbados – 48/53 (91%) – L.Blackman 15/17 (88%)
Scotland – 50/63 (79%) – L.Gallagher 35/37 (95%)
Starting Line Ups
Barbados – (GK) S.Azore-Bruce, (GD) R.Niles-Mapp, (WD) T.Howell, (C) R.Holder, (WA) S.Smith, (GA) N.Payne, (GS) L.Blackman
Scotland – (GK) H.Mulheron, (GD) F.Fowler, (WD) S.Murphy, (C) C.Brownie, (WA) N.McCleery, (GA) L.Gallagher, (GS) B.Goodwin
7th Placed Playoff – Malawi 60 – 52 Northern Ireland
Malawi have been involved in some thrilling games on the Gold Coast and this was another. Northern Ireland pushed them all the way and outscored the Queens in the second half. However, Malawi’s early lead was enough to secure a seventh placed finish.
Top scorer of Glasgow 2014 and current top goal scorer of Gold Coast 2018 Mwai Kumwenda, took her overall tally to 254 – 24 more than four years ago. Northern Ireland’s top goal scorer, Lisa Bowman, took her tournament tally to 169 after converting 33 times in this match.
Malawi 7th placed finish is two positions lower than their last two Commonwealth Games campaigns, however, their victory over New Zealand in the prelims produced one of the most memorable moments in the competition. Gold Coast 2018 was Northern Ireland’s second appearance at the Games and they will place 8th overall.
Shooting
Malawi – 60/68 (88%) – M.Kumwenda 48/51 (94%)
Northern Ireland – 52/65 (80%) – L.Bowman 33/38 (87%)
Starting Line Ups
Malawi – (GK) L.Ngwira, (GD) T.Vinkhumbo, (WD) J.Kachilika, (C) T.Galleta, (WA) T.Lwazi, (GA) J.Chimaliro, (GS) M.Kumwenda
Northern Ireland – (GK) G.Lawlor, (GD) N.Lennon, (WD) F.Toner, (C) C.O’Hanlon, (WA) M.Drayne, (GA) O.McCullough, (GS) L.Bowman
11th Placed Playoff – Fiji 32 – 81 Wales
Finally, Fiji and Wales took to the court for the final time. Both sides had yet to win a game on the Gold Coast – this was their last chance to change that.
Wales raced ahead opening up a 21-8 lead after the first quarter. The deficit became too much for Fiji to overcome as Wales would increase the lead every quarter. Fiji were struck with multiple injuries within their squad but fought valiantly until the very end. The 81 goals scored by Wales is their best goal scoring display in a Commonwealth Games match, defeating their previous record of 63, which came against Sri Lanka in Kuala Lumpur 1998.
Shooting
Fiji – 32/40 (80%) – N.Cirikisuva 10/12 (83%)
Wales – 81/89 (91%) – C.Lewis 35/39 (90%)
Starting Line Ups
Fiji – (GK) M.Waqnidrola, (GD) A.Naqiri, (WD) L.Rokoura, (C) A.Galo, (WA) V.Sawana, (GA) N.Cirikisuva, (GS) L.Waqa
Wales – (GK) K.Morgan, (GD) N.Jones, (WD) S.Drane, (C) K.Jones, (WA) A.Varey, (GA) S.Llewelyn, (GS) C.Lewis
The action continues on Saturday where the semi finals will take place. England will play Jamaica and Australia take on New Zealand. Keep up with the action by following @IntNetball on Twitter.
