England found themselves up against Commonwealth gold medallists, New Zealand, in the final of the Netball World Series and were intent on taking the title. In a close match that saw both teams give it everything they had, it was the Silver Ferns who triumphed and England had to settle for a respectable but disappointing second place.

The home side got off to a great start, converting their centre and taking a 2-0 lead after Sonia Mkoloma forced the New Zealand side to put the ball out of court. England held on to this lead for more than half of the quarter but a couple of individual errors gave the opposition the chance to turn the tide and by the whistle they were 7-5 in front.

A flustered England side struggled in the opening stages of the second quarter while the Silver Ferns seemed to be coming into their element. Ahead by three goals, the New Zealanders then began to come under pressure from England’s relentless determination and by half time they had closed the gap down to just one goal.

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Netball: Frustration for England as they draw against world number ones

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The third quarter saw the England girls edge their way into the lead but it was short lived as a loose pass from Pamela Cookey was intercepted and they found themselves behind once again. A rush of mid-court turnovers followed and the Ferns were ahead 18-16 going into the final quarter with both teams looking to capitalise from their Power Play.

New Zealand went four goals up but with just one minute to go, England pulled level. The Commonwealth gold medallists converted from their centre pass but the hosts lost possession from their centre and when the final whistle went New Zealand were 28-26 ahead, retaining their title and crowned champions once again.

Kirsty Page, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine