Having got their Quad Series campaign off to a good start by beating South Africa 60-55 in Durban, the Roses went on to meet the Silver Ferns in Liverpool, however, things didn’t quite go to plan and England’s Roses were stunned by a ruthless performance from New Zealand’s Silver Ferns on Friday evening in Liverpool.
Eleanor Cardwell and Kelly Jury challenging for the ball (Photo: Paul Wills)
The game started with Geva Mentor being called for contact giving Maria Tutaia a penalty shot to open her lucrative account on the night.
The score advanced to 8-1 in favour of New Zealand, but with an injection of crowd support, the Roses started to fight back.
Mentor and captain Ama Agbeze were working tirelessly to put pressure on the Ferns feed, while Beth Cobden was hassling out in front of them.
Helen Housby and Kadeen Corbin put early missed shots to the back of their minds and began linking up effectively with Chelsea Pitman making the attack flow.
In the blink of an eye, England bought it back from 12-6 down to 10-12, scoring four without reply from the Silver Ferns.
After a patchy start to the quarter, the Roses upped the intensity to ensure they finished the first 15 minutes just three goals behind at 13-16.
Inside the first four minutes of the second quarter, New Zealand went 21-13 ahead, shortly followed by increasing the lead to 10.
After some serious fight, the Roses reduced the Ferns lead to eight, but it remained a struggle to get the ball into the circle, meaning New Zealand finished the half 31-19 leaders.
There was just one line-up change for England after the half-time break as Natalie Haythornthwaite replaced Pitman in at WA.
The second half picked up where the first left off with scrappy play all over the court from both sides, despite this New Zealand steadily increased their lead to 13.
With three and a half minutes left on the clock, Cobden took a fantastic flying interception to help the Roses reduce the gap back to 10.
In true Silver Ferns style though, they stuck to task and pressed to take the lead back out to 12 with just one quarter left of the game.
The Roses went back out for the final 15 minutes trailing 42-30, fielding an unchanged line-up.
While the Roses were finding it difficult to transition, the Ferns took the ball to goal with ease – the shots just weren’t landing and the Ferns built their lead to 20 with six minutes to go.
With five minutes left on the clock, Corbin switched into GA with Housby making way for Eleanor Cardwell to take the GS bib.
Cobden continued to be a shining light for the Roses throughout the game, picking up countless tips and interceptions at WD.
The last quarter proved a test too far for England as New Zealand accelerated ahead to over 20 goals in front and finished the match 61-37 winners.
Jane Watson was named Player of the Match for the Silver Ferns after putting in a heroic display at GK for her side.
Roses starting 7: GS – Corbin, GA – Housby, WA – Pitman, C – Clarke, WD – Cobden, GD – Agbeze (c), GK – Mentor
Roses bench: Cardwell, Gibson, Haythornthwaite, Panagarry, Shaw
Silver Ferns starting 7: GS – Mes, GA, Tutaia, WA – Rasmussen, C – Francois, WD – Harrison, GD – Grant (c), GK – Watson
Ferns bench: Crampton, Jury, Selby-Rickit, Sinclair, Wilson
In their final game the England Roses bounced back to put in a sensational performance at the SSE Arena, Wembley but fell agonisingly short in their quest to beat the current World Champions.
England Geva Mentor in action against Australia (Photo Press Association)
After three quarters the Roses were ahead and dreaming of a famous win but the tenacious Australian Diamonds fought back to take a 47-46 victory and with it, the Quad Series title.
Tracey Neville selected the same starting seven which began in the heavy defeat to New Zealand and they were determined to put that display behind them from the first whistle.
Despite a couple of handling errors in the final third, strong defence from Geva Mentor allowed England to respond and cut the visitors lead to 5-3 after five minutes.
The incredible Diamonds defence were really applying the pressure and Helen Housby was forced into pulling her best flamingo impression as she sunk her shot one-legged from range.
A physical contest was taking place in the England attack end with Gabi Simpson being warned for persistent contact. Kadeen Corbin and Chelsea Pitman were unflustered as the pair combined with nice work around the circle edge for the former to score.
The Roses GS then had the crowd on their feet with a breath-taking drive into the circle but saw her effort bounce out as the visitors stayed ahead. A late Mentor steal and Corbin goal reduced the deficit to 9-13 at the end of Q1.
Once again Mentor led the charge in the second quarter, a superb rebound drew the contact from the Diamonds’ attack and Corbin fired in the pass for Housby to net. Another converted turnover inspired by Mentor had the hosts within one.
Wembley was rising to its collective feet once again as Corbin fired in the leveller moments later. It was even noisier in a matter of seconds as stolen possession in the mid-court allowed Housby to score from range, followed by her own roar of appreciation.
England were buoyant but Australia replied in kind. Good hands in the defensive third from Sharni Layton and Gabi Simpson put the Diamonds back on the ball and converted turnovers moved them 24-21 clear at half-time.
Gretel Tippett was introduced for the third quarter and this coincided with a good run for the away side. As England slowed play in the attack end, Australia capitalised. Stolen ball gave the new introduction a chance to build the lead and suddenly the gap was at six.
This time it was the Roses turn to fire back. Pitman was pulling the strings and there was fire in the belly of the English beast. Beth Cobden raced in for a turnover and Corbin applied the finish.
Once more the Arena was rocking and the decibel level raised further as Mentor tipped an attempted feed onto the post and straight back into her hands. Corbin and Housby both sunk attempts from range and the teams were back level.
The momentum was with the hosts and Lisa Alexander made a change, replacing Caitlin Thwaites with Susan Pettitt.
It didn’t make the immediate impact she had desired as Cobden used her athleticism to steal another Diamonds pass, Housby applied the finish and with fifteen minutes to go, England had taken a 36-34 lead.
The expected Australian response was quick to materialise. A flurry of green and gold seemed to encompass the mid-court as a four goal streak saw the lead switch hands.
Over 7,000 fans were refusing to let England down and their noise sparked the Roses back into life. Corbin and Mentor were dictating the play at either end but the Diamonds still had a slender advantage.
With the away defence starting to mark the space under the post, Housby took it upon herself to shoot from range and it paid off.
The momentum was only briefly halted as Layton’s phenomenal tussle with Corbin resulted with the England shooter taking a finger to the eye and being replaced by Natalie Haythornthwaite.
When play resumed the ball found Housby on the edge and she sunk an effort more satisfying than a home-made lasagne.
Mentor didn’t stay out of the limelight for long as another steal resulted in an attacking contact. England were back on the ball and it was soon in the hands of Housby and therefore, making its way through the net.
With under two minutes to go the Roses were down by one. The intensity was ferocious and with seventeen seconds on the clock they had secured a precious turnover.
A contact in the final third gave England ten seconds to take the game in to extra-time. Strong Diamonds defence narrowed the options and when Layton plucked out a lofted feed, the game was Australia’s.
Relief and delight for the World Champions but a whole lot of pride for the Roses.
Roses starting 7: GS – Corbin, GA – Housby, WA – Pitman, C – Clarke, WD – Cobden, GD – Agbeze, GK – Mentor
Diamonds starting 7: GS – Thwaites, GA – Pettit, WA – Hadley, C – Ravaillion, WD – Simpson, GD – Brandley, GK – Layton
Umpires: Jono Bredin and Lisa McPhail with Marielouw van der Merwe
Report courtesy of England Netball
