Malawi Queens lost to England 36 – 68 at London’s Copperbox Arena in the first game of their two-match series.
Visa problems caused Malawi queens delay in their travel to Liverpool and were replaced by Wales last Sunday. Wales, who were brought in to fulfil the fixture, were soundly beaten 70-25 by Anna Mayes’s England.
The Malawi Queens put up a tougher fight, however the hosts ensured they will go into Saturday’s final game in Worcester with two wins to their name.
The matches for both teams are part of the preparation for the 2015 Netball World Cup, which takes place in Australia in August.
England v Malawi – quarter-by-quarter
Q1: Eng 16-9 Malawi
Q2: Eng 19-10 Malawi
Q3: Eng 17-12 Malawi
Q4: Eng 16-5 Malawi
The Malawi Queens – fifth in the world rankings – are the most successful sports team in their Malawi, and finished one spot behind fourth-placed England at the Commonwealth Games this summer.
They made a quick start to Wednesday’s game, turning over England’s opening centre pass, but could not make it last.
Shooters Jo Harten and Rachel Dunn combined well in attack, alongside wing Tamsin Greenway, to score 13 unanswered points and send the hosts in 35-19 ahead at half-time.
Malawi Queens put in an improved performance in the third quarter, reducing the deficit to 11, but they could only add five goals in the final quarter, compared to England’s 16.
