Netball: Gibraltar proved too strong for Malta
The young Gibraltar Under 17 Netball team started the match a bit nervy. Wanting to score quickly the first few minutes saw them play with a bit of a lack of confidence edge in them as Malta made it difficult to score. This soon changed when good combinations between Anna Hernandez, Amy Pozo and Megan Prescott lit up the game.
Pozo and Prescott were on fire netting cleanly and putting seven in to bring the score to 7-0 by the 8th minute. The first three minutes now forgotten.
Gibraltar went on to lead 14-0 by the end of the first quarter once again providing proof that they had set out to win their division tournament.
Malta responded with their own points but saw how Gibraltar went ahead by 27 points before they eased of.
With the match now more or less settled the Gibraltar coaches decided to rest some players. Trying new combinations both at front and back Gibraltar gave Malta a small chance of reducing the deficit. They however, maintained their high momentum. Once again Gibraltar's hunger for to prove themselves saw the girls battling for each ball. There was no letting go of any chances to keep possession with the young ladies scrapping for the ball even on 50-50's when leading by over 20 points.
The introduction of Joelle Gilbert saw a change in the centre as she brought in a new dimension. Joelle who sometimes seems as she wasn't moving around, due to her clever style of game, was moving into key positions from where she spread the ball quickly to the attackers opening spaces through very quick effective passing.
Megan Prescott remained in true form scoring at every opportunity.
The match watched by some 350 people, including the Chief Minister had everyone standing at the end as Gibraltar won 47-21. The goal difference putting them ahead of their closest rivals Switzerland who are playing now for the decider.