New Zealand were able to hold off a fast finishing England to win match one of the Fiat International Netball Series 42-40 but will count themselves lucky the final whistle went when it did at the MEN Arena in Manchester.

The Commonwealth champions blasted ahead in the first quarter despite a mis-firing Maria Tutaia at GA. Irene Van Dyke landed eight of her nine attempts. England suffered a bit from “startled bunny” syndrome, not quite connecting with each other to get the ball through the court and into the net. Nearly five minutes ticked past before the home side moved the score.

Quarter two and England fans were treated to a sharper display from their side; five goals behind to start with the team speeded up the passing, found cleaner lines and upped the accuracy to close up to two goals behind at 11-13. The Silver Ferns regained their composure and the momentum to net three goals on the trot and re-establish their advantage. A time-out at 15-21 saw Eboni Beckford Chambers replaced by Stacey Francis. At half-time the score was 17-22.

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The game seemed to progress slowly, perhaps because both teams were putting up sterling defensive performances; New Zealand were seeking out an advantage and led by nine goals (29-38) before England called an injury time-out, co-captain Karen Atkinson left the court, Tamsin Greenway returned to WA, Serena Guthrie came on and played at C and the tide began to turn.

It won’t be considered a classic Test match but the final quarter was hugely encouraging for England fans as the team showed true grit to get back in the match. Louisa Brownfield came on at GS and began to “own” the area under the post, she only missed one attempt and provided a strong target for her feeders.

At the other end Sonia Mkloma chalked up another awesome interception that England were unlucky not to convert but that impetus was a real help. With five minutes to go England trailed by five, by the time the seconds had counted down to around a minute to go Louisa Brownfield closed the gap to four - the ball didn’t touch the ring. A swiftly turned over centre gave Pamela Cookey the opportunity to cut it to three and with a perfectly worked centre -pass combo into the circle, Louisa made it just two before the final whistle halted the run.

England coach Sue Hawkins: “That was there for the taking, and to turn round what was nearly a ten goal deficit to two goals so quickly - we should have done it a lot earlier.”

England will be hoping to level things up tonight in Nottingham and again on Wednesday night at London’s O2 arena.

Lisa O’Sullivan, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine