World Netball Series: Power Play button

The 2nd annual World Netball Series took place in Liverpool this year from 19-21st November. Again, it was the top 6 netball nations battling it out at the Fast Net version of the game, previously dubbed netball’s answer to Twenty20 cricket. This year South Africa broke into the higher echelons of the game, easing out Samoa.

Following their epic battle in the recent Commonwealth Games final, both Australia and New Zealand gave their top players a rest and instead sent development squads with a few capped players thrown in for good measure. Jamaica and England fielded much of their normal squad. Before the tournament started, the pressure was on England to win the event and not just do well in it.

To recap, the main rule changes were:

• shorter quarters – 6 minutes instead of the usual 15 minutes
• double points for goals scored from outside the circle
• Power Play quarter – any points scored are doubled during this quarter so a goal scored from outside the circle counts as 4 points
• rolling substitutions – no need to wait for a quarter time break to swap players on/off

With such short quarters, teams really have to be firing on all cylinders from the first whistle which I think helps to give the lower ranked teams more of a chance. During the group rounds, Jamaica were unbeaten but didn’t quite get a clean sweep as they were held to a 27-27 draw by New Zealand’s Fast Net Ferns. England, New Zealand and Australia’s Fast Net Diamonds all had mixed results with England edging past the other Antipodeans to finish 2nd in the group, followed by Australia in 3rd place and New Zealand in 4th place. Malawi put in some spirited performances and gave some of their higher ranked opponents a run for their money. They had a convincing win over South Africa, drew with Australia and were only narrowly beaten in the other 3 games. South Africa had a tough time in their first experience of Fast Net netball and were well beaten during each of their games.

The semi-finals pitched New Zealand against Jamaica and Australia against England. Slight feeling of deja vu, anyone? However, for once the southern hemisphere teams didn’t all come out on top. It was heartbreak again for Jamaica as they lost 29-28 to New Zealand. Only one goal separated the teams in the other semi too but this time England won with a final score of 26-25. There was some consolation for Jamaica as they went on to beat Australia 30-29 for the 3rd place play-off. Australia will be disappointed not to have been in the final but as ever coach Norma Plummer put a great spin on the result, reminding everyone that she came with a young, inexperienced side who were just there to enjoy it. Smart move, of course, by the Ferns and the Diamonds to test young players against most of England & Jamaica’s best players.

So, on to the final. The hosts were clearly the favourites but New Zealand were improving with every game. England led early in the first quarter but New Zealand turned the tables and led 7-5 at the first break. Although England fought back the Ferns held on to their slender lead and went into the half time break 11-10 up. They edged ahead a little more in the next 6 minutes of play and took a 18-16 lead going into the final quarter. Both teams saved the last quarter to hit the Power Play buttons. For English fans the final 6 minutes were sheer agony as their team failed to turn things around. In the dying minute(s) there was a contact on England WA Tamsin Greenway. England now had possession and spurred on by the screaming crowd they frantically propelled the ball down court to try and score which would have levelled the game and kept their title hopes alive. But, the umpire ruled that the penalty wasn’t set correctly and England lost possession amid plenty of confusion and protest from the home crowd. Suddenly, it was all over. New Zealand had retained their Fast Net title with a 28-26 victory over their hosts. A great effort from the young Ferns led by captain Maree Bowden but once again England captain Karen Atkinson and her side were left to ponder what might have been.

Did you make the trip to Liverpool for Fast Net or watch it on Sky? If so, what did you think?