England vs New Zealand: Match 3

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.

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