ENGLAND V NEW ZEALAND MATCH 3
O2 ARENA LONDON
19TH JANUARY, 2011
Q1: ENG 10-9 NZ
Q2: ENG 19-16 NZ
Q3: ENG 29-30 NZ
Q4: ENG 40-47 NZ
FINAL SCORE : ENG 40-47 NZ
SERIES RESULT: New Zealand win the series 3-0.
After failing to get in front against New Zealand in the matches at
Manchester or Nottingham, England took a more pro-active approach at
London’s O2 Arena in the Fiat International Netball Series. Jo Harten
was assured and confident under the post to put the team in front with
just a minute played. New Zealand started without captain Casey
Williams on court and Maria Tutaia was also rested. England were able
to make inroads in the shooting circle and Sonia Mkoloma and Stacey
Francis made it hard work for the Ferns to find their shooters.
No changes needed for England going into the second quarter where
after it of to and fro-ing in the mid-court the ball returned for Jo
Harten to ease England into a12-9 lead. With New Zealand WD Joline
Henry’s ankle given the appropriate treatment in a time-out it the Red
and Whites who continued to control the play. Sonia Mkoloma was
everywhere giving Irene Van Dyk a tough time and keeping the defences
tight. It was good to see Karen Atkinson in form too in the centre
where a couple of her key turnovers helped keep the tourists in check
and at half-time the home crowd were able to cheer a 19-16 lead.
Going into the third quarter England were able stay with the starting
seven, the Silver Ferns brought on Casey Williams at GD with Maria
Tutaia coming into the GA bib. It helped as in the following five
minutes the World Number 2s were getting back into the match; Williams
was marshalling her defence and Harten and Cookey found it less easy
to pick their shots. Sonia Mkoloma took a medical time-out on her
shoulder. With just under 8 minutes to play in the quarter the Ferns
went in front for first time in the game; over the next four minutes
the teams traded goal for goal. Karen Atkinson tweaked an ankle and
was replaced by Sara Bayman. New Zealand won the quarter 14 goals to
10 and went into the final break leading 30-29.
So far in this Fiat International Netball Series England had been
saving the best til last with a ferocious final quarter flurry, but
this time it was New Zealand who upped the pace to race into a four
goal lead 29-33. Eleven minutes to play and Irene Van Dyk was
penalised for contact on Sonia Mkoloma, the ball flies down court and
England get back level at 34-34. Jo Harten landed the shot coolly then
another to make it 35-34 but a chance to widen the gap further is
missed as the ball looks to have gone in before looping out. The
second best team in the world step it up to go level again and Casey
Williams began to make her mark on the match with a comfortable
interception converted and the Ferns went quickly three ahead then
four. A substitution of Karen Atkinson back on for Sara Bayman (ankle
tweak) makes little difference as New Zealand move eight goals in
front before England’s last shot makes the final score England 40 New
Zealand 47.
Pamela Cookey netted 100% of her shots but it was a disappointing end
to a thrilling game for England fans.
Umpires: Theresa Prince (SA) Dave Brown (Jam) with Paula Ferguson (Aus)
STARTING 7s
ENGLAND:
GS: Jo Harten (26 goals from 35 attempts = 75%) GA:Pamela Cookey (14
goals from 14 attempts 100%) WA:Tamsin Greenway C:Karen Atkinson
WD:Serena Guthrie, GD:Stacey Francis GK:Sonia Mkoloma
Bench: Louisa Brownfield, Sasha Corbin, Sara Bayman , Jade Clarke
Eboni Beckford Chambers
NEW ZEALAND
GS: Irene Van Dyk (27 goals from 31 attempts = 87%) GA:Anna Thompson
(9 goals from 13 attempts = 69%) WA:Laura Langman C:Camilla Lees
WD:Joline Henry GD: Anna Scarlett GK:Katrina Grant
Bench: Maria Tutaia (10 goals from 15 attempts = 67%) Daneka Wipiiti,
Liana Leota, Leana de Bruin, Casey Williams
