Netball Europe Championships: Northern Ireland 53-53 Wales

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Wales drew against hosts Northern Ireland in their opening game of the Netball Europe Open Championships in Antrim.

"It was a highly competitive game from start to finish," Wales coach Trish Wilcox said.

"We did have our opportunities in the last quarter to win the game.

The tournament also features England and Scotland in addition to South Africa and Trinidad & Tobago.

Trinidad & Tobago are Wales' next opponents on Friday before they face England and South Africa on Saturday and finish against Scotland on Sunday.

Wales are preparing for the World Cup, which will be held in Sydney in August.

"We're definitely heading in the right direction," said Wilcox, who succeeded Melissa Hyndman prior to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.