She Cranes dreaming of Netball World Cup semis

The She Cranes have now set their eyes on making it to the semifinals at the Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England following their weekend performance.

The Ugandan women advanced to the second stage of the preliminaries yesterday after beating Scotland 52-43 in the final fixture of Group D.

Stella Oyella netted 27 goals in 28 attempts as her colleagues Peace Proscovia and Mary Nuba added 19 and six goals respectively for the victors.

The She Cranes had earlier succumbed to host England in the opening game. But their victories against Samoa and Scotland got the She Cranes back into the contest.

Uganda is now scheduled to play against Pool C's finest Jamaica, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago at the next level at the 10-day event ending on Sunday, July 21 at the M&S Arena in Liverpool.

Semifinal dream

"All we needed was to first make it past the group stage and at least we did so,'' said coach Vincent Kiwanuka.

He added, "We have now set our eyes on the semi-finals because at the last edition we finished in the eighth position and I know we shall do better.''

The 16 teams are split into four groups - Uganda is in D with England, Scotland and Samoa.

The top three in each form Groups F and G in the second phase, while the losers make up Group E.

The top two in F and G go into the semis a week on Saturday, with the final on Sunday.

This year's edition of the Netball World Cup, held every four years, has attracted 16 teams.