Wales beat Tonga 65-52 to complete their preparation for the Commonwealth Games in an uncapped warm-up game in Cardiff.

The Feathers exploded out of the blocks, with goal shooter Georgia Rowe using her height to devastating effect under the post.

Her shooting was close to flawless, and with goal attack Phillipa Yarranton feeding her superbly, the pair combined for 19 goals in an opening quarter that handed Wales a five-goal cushion.

Tonga refused to fold, though, with their own goal shooter Uneeq Palavi keeping the scoreboard ticking over. The visitors clawed their way back into contention, and it was 32-29 to Wales at the break.

Any hopes of a Tongan comeback were snuffed out after half-time. Wales stepped up a gear in the third quarter to stretch the lead back out to seven goals, then finished with a flourish, adding 17 more in the final period to seal a 65-52 victory.

It was a result that reflected how tight the two sides are on paper – Wales sit seventh in the world rankings, with Tonga just one place behind in eighth.

The fixture also marked a poignant moment for head coach Emily Handyside, who took charge of the Feathers on Welsh soil for the last time before stepping down from the role once the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow draw to a close.

Both nations now turn their attention to the tournament itself. Tonga open their campaign against world number one Australia, while Wales face sixth-ranked Uganda in their opening pool match.

Before then, there was a special moment for the 12-strong Welsh squad heading to Glasgow, as each player was presented with her Commonwealth Games dress by a family member.

“It was such a great game and gave us exactly the test we needed,” Wales head coach Emily Handyside said.

“The physicality reminded us what international netball is. The girls really stepped up and put the things into practice that we wanted to.

“Lowri [Windsor] got her first experience of playing for the Feathers, so we’re delighted for the performance and the occasion. The team were fantastic on defence and attack.

“We’ve got so many great ball winners, Caris [Morgan], Vicky Booth, huge pressure at the back with Leah [Middleton], it was just a real team performance.

“They did a fantastic job of getting the ball down to our attackers who were slick and connected.”

“It was a super physical game, and that’s international netball,” added player of the match, Phillipa Yarranton.

“For the girls that don’t get exposed to that very often, we get drips and drabs of it in the Super League season when we play the Aussies.

“Tonga are incredible competitors and it was great preparation.

“I think this is my third international player of the match award and although the game wasn’t capped, I wanted to leave everything on the court.

“You never know when you’ll get the opportunity to be on the court, you might not start the next game but I feel like I’ve got the nature and character that I want the bib ripped off of me.

“There’s no way I’m getting taken off that court, so I will just do or die.”

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