Commonwealth Games: England beat New Zealand to lead Pool B, Australia wait in netball semi-finals | Netball News

England beat New Zealand by 10 goals and remain undefeated as they defend the title they won on the Gold Coast four years ago. The home side’s next match is the semi-final against Australia on Saturday. New Zealand and Jamaica will now face off in one of his semi-finals.

England are undefeated out of Pool B and will face Australia in the semi-finals.

England put in a spectacular performance to beat New Zealand 54-44 to top Pool B and book a semi-final matchup against Australia at the Commonwealth Games.

Jess Thirlby’s team rocked New Zealand from the start at the NEC Arena, forcing their opponents to make constant personnel changes for 60 minutes.

After a spectacular start, England were reeled back and held a narrow 25–24 lead at half-time. However, they controlled the second half very well and were successful with the support of the home crowd.

After Jamaica dominated the Diamonds on Thursday, England will face Australia in the semi-finals on Saturday. The Sunshine Girls’ 57-55 win saw them top Pool A and Australia had to settle for her second place.

Jamaica and New Zealand will meet in another semi-final on Saturday. The gold medal match will take place on Sunday at the NEC Arena.

England took the first center pass and quickly turned it into a goal, with captain Nat Metcalfe quickly finding Eleanor Cardwell under the posts.

Cardwell was selected to start alongside Helen Howsby on England’s shooting side, while in the other shooting circle, 20-year-old Grace Nuweke was New Zealand’s target.

From the start, experienced Geva Mentor and Layla Guscoth disrupted Nweke’s rhythm and shot, as well as Maia Wilson’s rhythm and shot in goal attack. England pressed 5-2 after clinically converting a rebound and a fall into a goal, then she led 10-5.

With five minutes remaining in the first quarter, New Zealand’s goal shooting percentage was just 50%, an unprecedented number at an international level. England was 85%.

The Silverferns used the final part of the quarter with some calm and precision to bring the scoreline to 15–8 in England’s favor at the first stoppage.

Taurua have made changes to their New Zealand line-up for the second quarter.

Kate Heffernan was brought into the wing defense to make life less for Metcalfe, who scored his third goal in style in the first 15 minutes.

Te Paea Selby Likit replaced Wilson in the goal attack but remained unchanged as England were looking to deliver more of the same.

After England’s first shot went wide, New Zealand scored two goals to close the match and gain confidence from there.

Selby-Liket opened up space for them in attack and defense and with Heffernan in the New Zealand zone it started to become more of a challenge for England to get over.

New Zealand took charge for ten minutes, leading 12-6 in the quarter and going 16-10 to make half-time a one-goal contest.

Leila Guscos and defensive partner Geba Mentor have been relentless in their work on the court

The third quarter was often known as the ‘Championship Quarter’ due to its pivotal nature, and Thirlby was the one to make the change.

Joe Harten arrived at the shooter and linked up with Howsby. New Zealand, on the other hand, stuck with the line-up that turned the game around in the second quarter.

England made the first move. Rotate the ball, convert handling errors into goals, and increase post-to-post strength.

Metcalf has been as effective as it was in the first quarter. Harten, who has dealt with knee problems throughout the tournament, has provided Howsby with excellent nourishment.

Housby continues to show just how big a game player she is, and Jade Clarke has been resolute at center thanks to her 190th national cap.

New Zealand were forced to shuffle their hands again in the middle of the court after England maintained their momentum by seven points. They worked hard but remained 6 down at the final suspension.

The last 15 minutes were all for England. They calmly managed the Silver Ferns, kept in touch with them, and accelerated with purpose.

Imogen Allison, who was not a member of Thirlby’s original 12, single-handedly demonstrated their desire and confidence. She followed her second-half chip with a third feed from center to goal roofing up as she fell off the court.

Cardwell returned to shooter and her vocal presence combined with the actions of the team ensured that England crossed the line and competed.

After a day off, a rematch of the 2018 final on the Gold Coast awaits Australia in the semi-finals on Saturday.