England started their three-Check sequence away in New Zealand in constructive style with a decent 59-58 win in Auckland.
Following on from a aggressive 2-1 sequence defeat by world No 1 Australia, England confronted the No 2 ranked Kiwis, with Funmi Fadoju the standout after notching up 5 positive factors, together with three intercepts, all got here at essential instances all through the sport.
England subsequent face New Zealand within the second Check of a three-match sequence on Wednesday October 2 in Porirua, with all of the Exams reside on Sky Sports activities.
As the sport bought underneath means, an early turnover by the Silver Ferns’ defence allowed them to take a slim lead. Each groups took a while to settle into the primary quarter, earlier than an thrilling interval of goal-for-goal play ensued.
Neither facet made any adjustments heading into the second quarter and each groups got here out of the break with actual intent. Karin Burger intercepted the ball in England’s taking pictures circle permitting New Zealand to take a three-goal lead, earlier than a deflection from Fadoju put the ball again in England’s possession.
A mistake feeding the Silver Ferns’ taking pictures circle resulted within the ball going off the again line and supplied England with the prospect to go two forward. Dependable as ever, Liv Tchine took the result in 24-27 with two fast objectives.
Incredible long-range taking pictures from Tchine continued, till a miss with two minutes to play within the quarter enabled the Silver Ferns to equalise, bringing the rating to 29-29 at half time.
Some spectacular defensive work from Fadoju allowed England to shut the hole the Silver Ferns had opened within the early minutes of the third quarter.
Fran Williams earned a superb intercept and England took a one-goal lead which they have been then capable of prolong with their centre move that adopted.
One other defensive win from Williams rapidly gave England one other alternative and, after a protracted vary shot from Housby and a few composure from Tchine, the score-line grew to 36-40.
The Silver Ferns pressured an error in England’s attacking finish, giving them the chance to shut the hole to 2 with their centre move to observe. That introduced the score-line nearer, ending the third quarter 44-45 to England.
England opened the ultimate quarter with a fast objective, however a deflection from Kelly Jackson on Tchine’s shot then allowed the Silver Ferns to take the score-line again to inside two.
Williams and Fadoju mixed superbly to intercept the ball and Tchine labored arduous in opposition to some robust defensive strain to transform, bringing the rating to 49-52.
With simply 4 minutes to play, the Silver Ferns’ defenders mixed to safe an intercept, drawing the rating degree at 56-56 as captain Ekenasio re-entered the court docket.
Their centre move adopted and so the Silver Ferns took the lead by one objective with lower than three minutes to go.
Standing up when it mattered, Fadoju pressured an error within the Silver Ferns’ attacking finish with the rating at 57-57 and Tchine scored, giving her workforce a one-goal lead.
England’s attackers held onto the following essential possession of the ball, passing it round with endurance and composure earlier than Tchine nailed one other shot and England took a two-goal lead.
There was time for another objective for the silver Ferns, however it wasn’t sufficient to take the lead, with England retaining possession because the clock ticked down, and celebrating on court docket as they gained the primary recreation within the Taini Jamison Trophy 58-59.
What they mentioned…
England captain Fran Williams mentioned…
“I am just so proud. I think we showed so much maturity at the end to hold our composure in the way we played the ball around but still attacked down the court.
“Grace [Nweke] is likely one of the greatest shooters on the earth in the meanwhile and she or he’s so arduous to beat, however our power within the again is in our unit, the boldness we’ve in one another and the belief, and I feel we have been actually energetic from the primary minute right this moment… I am tremendous happy with the ladies for the way we confirmed up and closed out that recreation.”
England head coach Jess Thirlby said…
“They’re changing into slightly little bit of a behavior between us and the Silver Ferns and lengthy could that proceed as a result of its such a wholesome rivalry and we all know it is a good contest each time we’re right here.
“Today what I’m really impressed with is the will to win and the fact that we’re able to keep finding ways to get over the line.”
Vitality Roses fixtures and outcomes (all reside on Sky Sports activities)
September 19 – Australia 70-57 England – Report | Highlights | Full repeat
September 22 – Australia 59-61 England – Report | Highlights | Full repeat
September 25 – Australia 69-56 England – Report | Highlights | Full repeat
September 29 – New Zealand 58-59 England – Highlights | Full repeat
October 2 – New Zealand vs England, second Check, Porirua – Reside from 7.35am
October 6 – New Zealand vs England, third Check, Invercargill – Reside from 7.35am
