Samoa netball

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.

PNG edge out Samoa in netball

PNG captain Lua Rikis continued her top form leading in front as she only missed one attempt from the 32 shots at goal.

Samoa started the match on a high, as their center court player Brooke Williams used her speed around the court directing play.

She combined well with wing attack Hanalei Temese, giving Samoa goal shooter Julianna Naoupu Laban free balls to put them in front at the sound of the first quarter siren 19-13.