Match Report
England Netball
England Netball
It was the game that everybody was waiting, a repeat of last year’s final, England v New Zealand. The crowd were buzzing, the pyrotechnics were ablaze and the noise was deafening. The show was in full swing and the crowd witnessed an exhibition of four point shooting and exquisite defending, unfortunately for the home fans it was the Silver Ferns who continued to show their Fast Net supremacy.
Early nerves were there for all to see as New Zealand eased into a 4 – 0 lead in the opening passages of play with the excellent Anna Scarlett teaming up with Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick to make an immense defensive barrier. Pamela Cookey led the fight back for England but with early damage already inflicted, the hosts trailed 7 – 2 at the end of the first quarter.
The crowd were once again in fine voice as the second quarter started and this had a positive impact on England as they raced back into the game. The mid-court were fighting for every ball and Jo Harten was finding the net as England clawed their way back. A session of turnovers ensued with neither team finding the intricate feed they were desperately searching for. England could have drawn level but a untimely miss saw the Silver Ferns pull two clear at the break, 9 – 7.
As the teams headed back on court for the second half the usual Powerplay ensued with both coaches using the third quarter to spice the game up. It was an even contest with both sides finding space in the circle to move the scores along with Maria Tutaia sinking some ice cool shots. Ultimately it was Tutaia who would be the downfall of Anna Mayes’ side. The GA decided to take control of the game and scored an outrageous trio of four pointers that stunned the crowd. England could only respond with a solitary maximum of their own from the reliable Jo Harten.
At the end of the third quarter once again a game seemed out of reach, New Zealand leading 27 – 13. The home support refused to give in and were louder than ever as they welcomed the sides back on to the court. The scores were traded as the game died out and the final whistle signalled a defeat for England who will hope to bounce back with a win in the opening match of tomorrow’s session against Australia.