Samoa netball

Tonga and Samoa netters start Aus tourney on the right foot

The Pacific's other teams Papua New Guinea and Fiji were unfortunate not to win their opening matches.

 

Tala dominate Singapore

 

Defending their series title claimed last year the Tala of Tonga thrashed Singapore 85-40 to open their account.

In the first quarter the Tonga Tala led 21-12 which they followed up with a strong second quarter earning them a 20-goal lead going into half time, with Uneeq Palavi strong in the goal circle and Kelea Iongi strong in defence.

Fiji, Cook Islands and Samoa qualify for NWYC2017

On the final day of the Oceania Qualifier, Fiji held off a determined Cooks Islands 45-40 in the 1v2 play-off, while Samoa secured their spot with a 55-32 victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Tonga, who has improved considerably across the week, went down in the first game of the day to the invitational team from Netball Northern, 74-43.

The second match was between third and fourth ranked teams, Samoa and PNG; the winner qualifying for NWYC2017 along with Fiji and Cook Islands.