New Zealand beat England to retain CSE World Netball Series Title

NEW ZEALAND 28-26 ENGLAND

Q1: 7-5

Q2: 11-10

Q3: 18-16

Q4: 28-26

For the big one England were tackling New Zealand’s Fastnet specialist side and started the right way by converting their centre. Sonia Mkoloma forced the Silver Ferns to put the ball out of court and with a swift return down court England were 2-0 ahead.  The advantage held for a more than half of the quarter before a couple of individual errors gave New Zealand the chance to turn the tide and by the whistle they were 7-5 in front.

England started the second quarter a bit flustered while New Zealand’s Fastnet Ferns kept fluidly moving the ball around the court and in front by three goals. England were doggedly keeping the pressure up and it started paying off in the latter stages of the quarter with the Ferns giving up the ball when harried and at half-time it was 11-10, England down by one goal.

No Powerplays called by the teams by Q3 which left all the double point action to the final 6 minutes of the match. Two minutes ticked by with the sides going goal for goal. Jo Harten comfortable under the post and taking England ahead 13-14. A loose pass by Pam Cookey was intercepted and converted and the red and whites were once again behind.

There followed a rush of mid-court turnovers that resulted in a two-goal lead for the Ferns 18-16.

Double bubble in the final 6 minutes of the game for both teams matking every goal worth a precious two points.

Serena Guthrie was having no luck with the 50-50 balls but kept trying down to the final second on court.  The FastNet Ferns edged into four point lead by converting their centre pass, England were doggedly chasing down the score and with just one minute on the clock they pulled level. Again the Commonwealth Gold medalists converted from their centre pass but the red and whites lost possession from their centre in the confusion following a number umpiring decisions the clock ticked down and out.  New Zealand retained the title with a 28-26 win over England in Liverpool

England starting 7: GS Louisa Brownfield, GA Pamela Cookey, WA Tamsin Greenway, C Karen Atkinson (captain), WD Serena Guthrie GD Stacey Francis, GK Sonia Mkoloma
Bench: Jo Harten, Rachel Dunn, Sasha Corbin, Eboni Beckford-Chambers, Lindsay Keable.

Umpires: Theresa Prince (SA) Dave Brown (JAM) with Annie Kloppers (SA)