17 Jul 2017

Under 21 Netball team win World Youth Cup

8:20 am on 17 July 2017

The under 21 Netball team has secured a fourth Netball World Youth Cup title after a 60-57 win over Australia in Botswana.

New Zealand's U21 Netball Team celebrating after their 60-57 win over Australia.

New Zealand's U21 Netball Team celebrating after their 60-57 win over Australia. Photo: Netball New Zealand

New Zealand stuck with the same starting seven as their semi-final, but Australia came out firing in the opening quarter of the final - edging to an early 17-14 lead.

New Zealand's attacking momentum was amped up when centre Kimiora Poi was bought onto the court midway through the second quarter.

Along with the defence pair of Kelly Jury and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, New Zealand staged a stirring closing half to the second stanza, trailing by just one at half-time.

Goal attack Monica Falkner got New Zealand back into control - leading 45-41 at the end of the third.

It was a frantic finish, Australia threw everything into the game but New Zealand sealed the win 60-57 backing up their 2013 win in Scotland.