Fiji Pearls returned home on Monday night after finishing second in the 2024 PacificAus Netball Series campaign.

The Pearls went down to the Tonga Tala 72-58 in an intense final for the sixth consecutive time last Saturday in Brisbane, Australia.

The Pearls played a total of six games, they won all their three of their round-robin matches but lost to First Nations Australia and a 1-point difference in the last second to Tonga Tala.

The Pearls defeated Singapore 67-52, Samoa 64-55 and Namibia 66-57. They lost to Tonga 63-64 and to the First Nations 61-48.

The First Nations team was not eligible to play for the final as they were a local invitational side and not a fully-fledged national team, the Australian side topped the competition’s points table after the fifth round of matches.

On point average, the Pearls met Tonga Tala again in the final.

Netball Fiji chief executive officer Vivian Koster said the team went into the PNS campaign to win the title but fell short of their goal.

“It showed our areas of improvement and areas where work is needed,” Koster said.

Koster added that the PNS campaign saw four athletes debut for the Fiji Pearls including two current 21 and Under squad members.

“The PacAus Netball Series provided an opportunity for our players to test themselves in match play, especially those on debut, and we think they stood up well,” she said

Unaisi Rauluni showcased some exhilarating plays which saw her deliver dynamic moves across the court.

At the end of the PNS tournament Pearls captain Alesi Paul announced her retirement with 85 caps, 2 World Cup, 1 Commonwealth Games, 2 Pacific Games gold medals, 1 Pacific Games silver medal.

Source: Netball Fiji