By Daniel Nyeko
Uganda’s netball team, the She Cranes, continued their push for a maiden Celtic Cup with a solid 67 to 54 win over the Zimbabwe Gems in front of a small but vocal group of supporters at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, led by Netball Uganda President Jocelyn Ucanda.
The She Cranes made a bright start, taking the first quarter 19 to 14. They kept control in the second quarter, outscoring the Gems 22 to 12 to build a 41 to 26 lead at halftime.
Zimbabwe tried to close the gap in the third quarter, with goal defender Upenyo Kelly Muyambo grabbing clean intercepts. It still was not enough to slow Uganda, who stretched their advantage to 55 to 40 after three quarters.
Margaret Baagala controlled the tempo at centre, while Gloria Ayaa disrupted play at goal defense as the She Cranes extended their lead to 18. The Gems showed some fight in the fourth quarter and edged it 14 to 12, but Uganda stayed in command to seal the win.
Shaffie Nalwanja earned the player of the match award, becoming the fourth Ugandan to claim the honour after Mary Cholhok Nuba (against Scottish Thistles), Margaret Baagala (against Northern Ireland Warriors), and Shadia Nassanga Ssegujja (against Namibia Desert Jewels).
Shooting stats:
Uganda
Mary Cholhok 41/46, Shadia Nassanga 25/26, Specioza Namukosa 1/1
Zimbabwe
Sharon Bwanali 36/38, Ursula Ndlovu 15/16
UGANDA RESULTS
Uganda She Cranes 65 to 38 Namibia Desert Jewels
Uganda She Cranes 72 to 46 Northern Ireland Warriors
Uganda She Cranes 53 to 51 Scottish Thistles
Uganda She Cranes 67 to 54 Zimbabwe Gems
OTHER RESULTS (Day 4)
Welsh Feathers 67 to 39 Namibia Desert Jewels
Scottish Thistles 60 to 43 Northern Ireland Warriors
Sunday fixtures
Namibia Desert Jewels vs Northern Ireland Warriors 3:30PM (EAT)
Welsh Feathers vs Uganda She Cranes 6PM (EAT)
Scottish Thistles vs Zimbabwe Gems 8PM (EAT)
Watch all fixtures on NetballPass.com
