Netball: Singapore beat Papua New Guinea 47-42 to open Nations Cup campaign

Singapore got their Nations Cup campaign off to a winning note today, beating Papua New Guinea 47-42 in their opening match.

The home side, also the reigning Asian champions, maintained a steady lead through the first half and went into the half-time break with a six-point advantage.

But a dip in form and a messy third quarter allowed their opponents to outscore the Republic and steal the lead at one point. Still, Singapore bounced back strongly to stage a late comeback for the victory.

Papua New Guinea are ranked No. 17 in the world while the Republic, who finished runners-up to Uganda last year, are 19th.

Said defender Premila Hirubalan: "We always have the belief that we can do it, despite them being higher ranked than us.

"We know that if we just play our game, we can do fantastic things.

"We didn't play our game in the third quarter... but we brushed it off, do what we usually do, and came back strong in the fourth."

Singapore had beaten the Oceania side narrowly 44-43 the last time they met in the Nations Cup last year.

Ireland play Botswana while Samoa will meet Malaysia in the day's other matches.

Singapore will play Botswana tomorrow in the week-long tournament.

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