Netball: NZ start title defence in style

New Zealand's under-21 netball team kicked off their campaign to retain their world youth title with a 102-24 savaging of Barbados in the Cook Islands yesterday.

Ahead 54-16 at halftime, the New Zealanders upped the intensity in the second spell to concede only eight goals, allowing Barbados just one goal in the final 15 minutes.

However, main rivals Jamaica and Australia looked equally impressive.

Jamaica, led by Queensland Firebirds goal shoot Romelda Aiken cruised to a 108-11 win over the United States, while Australia were equally dominant 73-22 against the stronger South Africans.

Results
Cook Islands 43 Wales 37, Jamaica 108 United States 11, Singapore 61 Papua New Guinea 23, Australia 73 South Africa 22, Fiji 57 Samoa 43, England 110 Vanuatu 9, Cook Islands 70 Malaysia 36, New Zealand 102 Barbados 24, Northern Ireland 45, Trinidad and Tobago 43.

- NZPA