Botswana remained on track to reach the knockout phase of the 2017 Netball World Youth Cup after beating Cook Islands and Malaysia over the weekend.

The host nation defeated Malaysia 72-26 during the opening game on Saturday and Cook Islands 51- 41 yesterday at UB Indoor Arena to move level at the top of Pool C with Uganda which thumped Malaysia 81-21 at Ditshupo Hall. Against Malaysia on Saturday, Botswana displayed attacking prowess which saw them blow away Malaysia.

Goal attacker Pearl Maribe, wing defence Sarona Hans and wing attack Florence Poane led the onslaught on the Malaysians.

Goal shooter Cheledo David plummered 13 goals as the hosts established a 17-9 first quarter lead with Maribe weighing in with four more goals.

Botswana grew in confidence in the second quarter and David scored six more goals while the enterprising Maribe notched eight to increase the lead to 32-16.

Selogetso Boikanyo replaced Maribe as goal attacker in the third quarter and combined well with David to extend the lead to 50-23.

In the fourth quarter, coach Setshedi Botlhole-Mmopi brought in Mondida Mbangiwa for David, and the new shooter together with Boikanyo took the final score to 72-26. At the back goal keeper Maipelo Mosotho had an easy time dominating her area.

Against Cook Islands, Botswana started the match at a high pace and dictated the pace of the game.

They gave their opponents a hard time in midcourt with Maungo Simon, Pearl Maribe and Florence

Poane making it difficult for Cook Islands to dominate and pass balls. Goal attacker Pearl Maribe came with blazing fireworks scoring almost every ball passed to her in the shooting circle.

Botswana went to halftime leading 26-11.

Cook Islands fought very hard in the last two quarters but Botswana continued to perform extremely well especially in defense which frustrated their opponents in the

shooting area. The game ended with Botswana winning 51-41.

In an interview after the Malaysia encounter Botswana coach Botlhole-Mmopi praised the team saying: “I am happy with the way the girls have played. They took a bit of time to settle because they were unsettled by the crowd but they played well.”

Botswana meets Uganda today at UB Indoor Arena in the top of the table clash at 2pm.  ENDS