Wales Win First Netball Test Against Samoa In Cardiff

Wales powered to a convincing victory in their opening netball Test match against Samoa in Cardiff.

Captain Suzy Drane led her team to a 72-46 victory at the Sport Wales National Centre and the teams meet again at the same venue on Thursday (7pm).

Wales won all four quarters, leading 34-21 at half-time.

These matches are preparation with Wales looking towards the World Cup qualifiers in January and then the Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast during April.

Quarter scores (Wales first): 17-10; 17-11 (34-21); 22-13 (56-34); 16-12 (72-46).

Tickets are still available, though proving popular, for the Wendy White Series.

Go to www.ticketline.co.uk/welsh-netball to purchase. It will be the last chance to see the Welsh team in home action before the squad jets off to Australia for the Commonwealth Games in April.

Tickets cost £10 for adults, £6 for concessions. Welsh Netball are able to offer group discounts for affiliated clubs in groups of over 10 at £8 per adult and £5 per concession.

Wales: Suzy Drane (captain), Fern Davies, Bethan Dyke, Kyra Jones, Nia Jones, Sarah Llewelyn, Cara Lea Moseley, Eleanor Roberts, Georgia Rowe, Christina Shaw, Leila Thomas, Amanda Varey.

Action from Wales v Samoa.

Samoa: Nicolette Tato (captain), Sanonu Robertson (vixe-captain), Giorja Fatu, Liana Hogarth, Seiafi Lafaiali’i-Sapolu, Ariana Luamanu, Sisavaii Muliaga, Terrelle Onesemo, Soli Ropati, Tahnyshavaughn Salona, Sanita To’o, Betty Tuipulotu.

England Netball have confirmed the umpires to officiate in the Vitality Netball Superleague 2018.

All umpires take part in a performance camp in early January.

Louise Travis has been selected for her 11th season in Netball Superleague and said: “I never take these appointments for granted and I am so pleased to be selected.

“This is where the hard work really starts and I am so grateful to my family for their on-going support which enables me to be an elite umpire, mum and wife”.

Welsh umpire Alison Davies, originally from Pyle and now living in Fforestfach, is in the group.

Davies has received her international umpiring award from the Netball Federation, the highest qualification level that can be achieved in netball. She is the only umpire in Wales to hold the IUA status.

“To say I have achieved my IUA is still like a dream I have to keep repeating to myself,” said Davies, who is a physical education teacher and Wellbeing Director of the Upper School at the Ysgol Bae Baglan ‘super school’ in Port Talbot.

“So many people have played such a big part in me getting here, it’s a dream come true.”

Davies began umpiring in 2012 before quickly starting her international umpiring career later the same year in Gibraltar at a Netball Europe ranking tournament.

One of the newest additions to the Superleague group, Kate Mann from East Midlands, said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be selected to umpire at the highest level in the UK and wish to thank everyone that has contributed something to get me where I am today.”

The new Superleague season begins with title holders Wasps Netball taking on Surrey Storm at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry in February.

Celtic Dragons begin their season on Monday, February 12 when they host benecosMavericks, while they will be live on Sky Sports during May when they host Loughborough Lightning.

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