The Kiwis defended their title on the weekend and displayed some high quality team work.

Mount Isa Netball treasurer and representative of the Rest of the World team, Barbara Baker, said the match started off a bit slow.

“Everyone was warming up and finding their feet,” Baker said.

As more spectators showed up the competition intensified with Kiwis taking control of the game.

“Kiwis dominated the game from the very beginning. It was great to see so many people show up and support both teams.”

When the temperature increased the Kiwis battled on and their team united. 

Baker said Kiwi’s shooters and defense was ‘way on’.  

“The Kiwis did a great job, as much as we tried we couldn’t get the ball down their end. It got very hot but we were lucky to have a slight breeze to cool it down a bit.”

The Rest of the World team was combined of players from all the Mount Isa Netball clubs.

“We are a mixture of players and we didn’t train for this match,” Baker said.

“The Kiwis probably would have because they are their own club but as this competition is only held once a year the Rest of the World team, didn’t train.

“We also had some new players which was good to see.

Baker said she thought the competition had been played for about six years.

“The Rest Of The World team won the first two or three then the New Zealand team came back and have been dominating the past few years. We really need to step it up next year and be a bit more organised.”

There was a small netball sign up on Saturday, with locals showing some interest in the upcoming season.

“We printed off about 30 forms just if anyone was interested on the day and they were all taken, so that was really good,” Baker said.

“We had some great feedback and the official sign on will be held this Saturday. All Mount Isa netball clubs will be set up at the netball grounds and new and existing players can sign up and pay for the upcoming season.”

Local games will commence March 16.