New Zealand will meet Australia in tomorrow’s Vitality Netball World Cup final, after the Silver Ferns edged out hosts England in this afternoon’s second semi-final.
After a wonderful start, the Kiwis were pegged back, as England – cheered on by a passionate home crowd – found their feet. From then, momentum swung on numerous occasions, with England three ahead by half-time and then 36-33 down with one quarter left.
Despite winning that last quarter, England couldn’t quite close the gap, and missed out on a first ever World Cup final as they lost 47-45.
The Roses will now play South Africa for bronze tomorrow.
Earlier on, Australia edged an equally-close semi-final 55-53 against South Africa, helping to set up the sixth consecutive Australia versus New Zealand final.
Elsewhere, Scotland beat Barbados to finish 11th, and Northern Ireland finished the competition in 10th after losing to Trinidad and Tobago.
Session 18 matches results:
England 45-47 New Zealand
Northern Ireland 48-57 Trinidad and Tobago
Upcoming:
The Vitality Netball World Cup concludes tomorrow, when the world champions will be crowned. South Africa and Australia will meet in the final at 4:45pm, while the bronze medal will be contested by England and South Africa at 2:30pm.
In the morning, Jamaica will play Malawi for 5th, and Uganda will take on Zimbabwe for 7th.
The full tournament schedule is available to view here.
