Netball World Youth Cup: Jamaica too strong for Tonga

GIBRALTAR (CMC):

Day two of the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 saw mixed fortunes for the Caribbean nations, with Jamaica securing a commanding win while Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados faced challenging opposition.

The day opened with a dominant display from Jamaica, who overpowered Tonga with a final score of 66-43.

From the first whistle, Jamaica’s defensive intensity was the story of the match.

They hunted the ball relentlessly across the entire court, forcing Tonga into a series of early errors and severely limiting their scoring opportunities.

Although Tonga emerged from half-time with renewed resilience, Jamaica’s formidable early lead and unyielding defence ensured a convincing and impressive victory.

It was a difficult outing for Trinidad & Tobago, who fell 29-65 to a slick Malawi side. Malawi applied constant pressure from the start, using their speed and precision to create strong team connections and provide constant passing options.

Their defensive unit, often flooding the centre court, forced numerous turnovers. Trinidad & Tobago attempted to fight back by forming a defensive wall, but they were ultimately unable to contain Malawi’s fluid and powerful attack.

Barbados were also unable to secure a win, falling 34-66 to a strong Fijian team. Barbados kept hustling for the entire match, but were occasionally punished for leaving too much space in their defence.

Fiji expertly capitalised on these opportunities with intelligent movement and sharp attacking plays, steadily building their lead to secure a comprehensive victory.

In other day two action, hosts Gibraltar lost 28-59 to Malaysia, defending champions New Zealand defeated Cook Islands 74-47, Scotland beat Northern Ireland 64-21, and Australia delivered a masterclass in a 92-25 win over Singapore.