Netball: Manx Rams roar to dramatic win over Ireland

Just one point separates nations after thrilling contest

The Manx Rams once again took a big victory in the netball world cup qualifiers today (15 October) with a dramatic 54-53 win over Republic of Ireland.

The Island side were coming off an impressive 44-33 win over Gibraltar in the previous game yesterday (14 October).

Going into this afternoon's game, both held very similar positions in the world rankings with Republic of Ireland 24th in the standings, just two ahead of the Isle of Man.

The last time the two nations met was back in May at the NSC in the Netball Europe Open Challenge with Republic of Ireland victorious 43-32 that day.

However, in an equally close and thoroughly intense contest today at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow it was the Manx side who started to edge in front taking a narrow 32-26 lead after the first two quarters.

With almost nothing to choose between both sides in a thrilling battle, the Isle of Man managed to hold on to their slender advantage to have a six-goal cushion going into the fourth and final quarter.

In the remaining 15 minutes, Republic of Ireland fought well to set up a grandstand finale, but the Isle of Man managed to hold on in dramatic style to take the contest by just one solitary point.

The Manx Rams next and final game of the Europe netball world cup qualifiers in Scotland is against Northern Ireland tomorrow (16 October) at 12.30pm.