Netball Commonwealth Games: She Cranes Humbles Irish Women from the North
The Uganda’s national netball team, the She Cranes continued to prove that any side low their ranks can’t give them tough challenge.
In their fourth group B game in the ongoing Commonwealth games in Birmingham England, She Cranes comfortably beat the 11th ranked Northern Ireland by a goal difference of 37 following a 63-26 final score in e game honored at NEC Arena on Wednesday afternoon.
Uganda were favourites going into their fourth game of the Pool B and they indeed proved their rank against Irish women.
Like in their first game against New Zealand, Uganda wouldn’t concentrate well with the ball and found themselves missing a lot of chances especially Mary Nuba, but again, they were a strong side, since the defense worked well and the first quarter ended 11-05 in favor of Fred Mugerwa charges.
Even though Uganda struggled a bit in first quarter, the Irish women failed to capitalize on the weaknesses Uganda exhibited in first quarter to punish them in second quarter, However, Uganda’s confidence kept on growing and the goal scoring accuracy increased and managed to score 17 against the seven opponent netted. And by half time it was 28-11 in favor of the blacks.
After halftime, Mugerwa made two changes, bringing on Shadia Nassanga Ssegujja for Irene Eyaru, and Jesca Achan for Margret Baagala, the youngster who had her first debut start in commonwealth games.
The introduction of Shadia Nassanga increased goal scoring rate and Mary Nuba gained much confidence working with the former in the D. And the third quarter ended 45-19 in Uganda’s control.
In the last quarter, the She Cranes tactician brought back Margret Baagala for Jesca Achan who got a number of cautions from the Umpires, Norah Lunkuse also came in for Stella Oyella as well as Hanisha Muhammed replacing Shaffie Nalwanja.
In fact Uganda’s highest score in a single quarter came in the last quarter, they scored 18, compared to the 11 in first quarter, 17 in second and third quarter each.
The trio of Sandra Nambirige, Joan
Nampungu and Shaffie Nalwanja worked tirelessly to pile pressure unto the Northern Ireland attackers, and Hanisha Muhammed when introduced in the past quarter, she added the icing sugar on the cake and proved her growth in the game especially in the GK positive, she at least managed to steal two ball, two rebounds and three interceptions.
Uganda’s last group B game is on tomorrow evening and they will be facing against Malawi, a must win for Uganda if they want to maintain their third position on the log.