Match Report
England Netball
England Netball
A fantastic start to day two at the World Netball Series saw Australia came out on top following an enthralling encounter with England. The Diamonds used the Powerplay to their advantage and managed to pull away in the final quarter and despite a raucous home support, held on for a valuable win.
Rachel Dunn came into the starting 7 for Jo Harten as Anna Mayes looked to spice things up and get England off to a flying start. However, it was the visitors who started strongly with some fantastic defensive work from Bianca Chatfield ensuring that the England shooters weren’t given any time or space in the circle. A valiant display from England saw them level up at 6 – 6 at the end of the first quarter.
Taking a change from tradition, England took their Powerplay in the second quarter, usually a strong quarter for the hosts. Tactics were in full use as the Aussies worked to break up play and slow the tempo, England struggled to complete feeds but continued to battle and increase a lead, hopeful that they could counteract the Diamonds own Powerplay. A flurry of scores from Harten, Dunn and Cookey were being cancelled out by constant replies from Susan Pratley and Kate Beveridge.
At the interval England were ahead by three, 16 – 13. The third quarter was another intense battle with both teams going tit for tat, neither side were dominating the play as fantastic defending turned the game into a war of attrition. An example of this when Eboni Beckford-Chambers made a flying intercept. Stacey Francis was also playing with the frenetic action and elastic agility that fans have come to accept from the young defender. A drawn quarter saw the score line read 21 – 18 at the end of the third. The score looking more favourable to England thanks to a terrific two pointer in the last second from Dunn which had the crowd roaring with delight. Having forfeited the chance in previous quarters, Australia took the Powerplay in the final 6 minutes.
England scored early on and were recycling the ball fantastically, minimising Diamonds possession, it felt more like six days as the clock refused to tick down any quicker. Eventually the advantage of double points told and the visitors were able to score freely under the post to secure the win. England had shown improvement for yesterday and will take great heart going into their clash with South Africa, Australia go marching on, three wins from three.