Calypso Girls beat Singapore 49-36 at Netball World Cup

The Calypso Girls notched their first win of the 2023 Netball World Cup after getting past Singapore 49-36 in the second Pool D match at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa on Saturday.

TT had a good start and closed the first quarter with a three-point lead (13-10). Despite being outscored nine points to eight in the second, TT held on to their slim advantage heading into the third period.

TT fought valiantly to score 13 in the third segment while Singapore continued to stay close, scoring 11 in the third.

But in the decisive final quarter, the Calypso Girls turned up the ante and scored 15 - their best quarter of the tournament so far - to hold out for a well-worked 49-36 win over Singapore.

The win for TT got them off the mark having lost their opening match 76-27 against defending champions New Zealand on Friday. TT are now third in the group, with Singapore in the cellar position.

Head coach Joel Young-Strong was elated with the victory.

"A win is always an awesome feeling. Sometimes we get sidetracked with the goal and plan that we have, on court, and the things that we would have worked on and talked about, but it was good to see them getting back into the way we wanted them to play."

Young-Strong said the opening loss against the Silver Ferns helped them better manage the Singapore test.

"We learnt that although we play a patient game we have to be extra patient and manage the ball even more than new would manage it in a normal game. Managing the ball is what we learnt in that game and yes, victory was ours"

She confirmed they made several adjustments, after the opening match, to get the most out of each player.

"Some of the instructions were ‘everybody attack, everybody defend’. When we lost the ball, defend. When our defenders have the ball, attack, so everybody gets into the game and are part of it. That’s how we will win and be better."

There were some physical moments in the match where some TT players hit the deck. however, Young-Strong confirmed there are no serious injuries in the team ahead of their final group match against Uganda on Sunday.

"We weren’t taking anything for granted with Singapore. Even though they’re a smaller nation, everybody deserves to be here."

Additionally, Afeisha Noel was named Player of the Match. She also expressed elation with the win but said they must continuously improve if they are to come up trumps in their final preliminary match.

"I felt it was a team effort and that everyone on the team was Player of the Match. We went to back and reset, came out strong. My plan was to do much better and for the Uganda game, I want to better again.

"We have a little more things we have to focus on, regroup and come as as team, but the least mistakes, the better for us," Noel said.

If TT are victorious on Sunday, they can rise to second place in the group. Only the top three group finishers, from four groups, advance to the next round.

Additionally, regional rivals Jamaica remain unbeaten after two matches. On Friday, they eased past Sri Lanka 105-25 and then bettered Wales 75-40 on Saturday.

They complete their group matches against hosts South Africa on Sunday.