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New Delhi - England crushed South Africa’s netball medal prospects at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi on Tuesday.
South Africa, who were competitive in the first quarter and trailed 15-12, lost ground as the match progressed and at the final whistle England had done justice to the bookmakers spread with a comprehensive 54-36 win. The spread on an English win was 19 points.
England, ranked higher than South Africa in the Commonwealth and the World, are now favoured to advanced to the play-offs with Group favourites New Zealand. South Africa play Barbados next and are unlikely to threaten New Zealand’s dominance later in the week.
Goal Shooter Chrisna Bootha lamented South Africa’s slow start in not putting England under pressure from the outset.
‘We started off slowly, which was disappointing, however there were some great moments where we controlled the game and had England sweating. Overall it was a great team effort,’ said Bootha who felt the English defence to be a step up to what she has experienced internationally.
‘It was tough for me, it was a first for me to be playing against [England goal defence] Sonia [MKOLOMA]. I did the best I could, but I can only get better if I play more games.’
Bootha said that despite the setback and the prospect of New Zealand in Game three the South Africans simply had to work harder, fight harder and prove themselves capable of competing with the best.
South Africa’s coach Carin Strauss said England had too much ball speed for the South Africans who had suffered from not playing matches recently against quality opposition like England.
South Africa, who were competitive in the first quarter and trailed 15-12, lost ground as the match progressed and at the final whistle England had done justice to the bookmakers spread with a comprehensive 54-36 win. The spread on an English win was 19 points.
England, ranked higher than South Africa in the Commonwealth and the World, are now favoured to advanced to the play-offs with Group favourites New Zealand. South Africa play Barbados next and are unlikely to threaten New Zealand’s dominance later in the week.
Goal Shooter Chrisna Bootha lamented South Africa’s slow start in not putting England under pressure from the outset.
‘We started off slowly, which was disappointing, however there were some great moments where we controlled the game and had England sweating. Overall it was a great team effort,’ said Bootha who felt the English defence to be a step up to what she has experienced internationally.
‘It was tough for me, it was a first for me to be playing against [England goal defence] Sonia [MKOLOMA]. I did the best I could, but I can only get better if I play more games.’
Bootha said that despite the setback and the prospect of New Zealand in Game three the South Africans simply had to work harder, fight harder and prove themselves capable of competing with the best.
South Africa’s coach Carin Strauss said England had too much ball speed for the South Africans who had suffered from not playing matches recently against quality opposition like England.
