England began their three-Test series away in New Zealand in positive fashion with a tight 59-58 win in Auckland.
Following on from a competitive 2-1 series defeat by world No 1 Australia, England faced the No 2 ranked Kiwis, with Funmi Fadoju the standout after notching up five gains, including three intercepts, all came at critical times throughout the game.
England next face New Zealand in the second Test of a three-match series on Wednesday October 2 in Porirua, with all the Tests live on Sky Sports.
As the game got under way, an early turnover by the Silver Ferns’ defence allowed them to take a narrow lead. Both teams took some time to settle into the first quarter, before an exciting period of goal-for-goal play ensued.
Neither side made any changes heading into the second quarter and both teams came out of the break with real intent. Karin Burger intercepted the ball in England’s shooting circle allowing New Zealand to take a three-goal lead, before a deflection from Fadoju put the ball back in England’s possession.
A mistake feeding the Silver Ferns’ shooting circle resulted in the ball going off the back line and provided England with the chance to go two ahead. Reliable as ever, Liv Tchine took the lead to 24-27 with two quick goals.
Fantastic long-range shooting from Tchine continued, until a miss with two minutes to play in the quarter enabled the Silver Ferns to equalise, bringing the score to 29-29 at half time.
Some impressive defensive work from Fadoju allowed England to close the gap the Silver Ferns had opened in the early minutes of the third quarter.
Fran Williams earned a brilliant intercept and England took a one-goal lead which they were then able to extend with their centre pass that followed.
Another defensive win from Williams quickly gave England another opportunity and, after a long range shot from Housby and some composure from Tchine, the score-line grew to 36-40.
The Silver Ferns forced an error in England’s attacking end, giving them the opportunity to close the gap to two with their centre pass to follow. That brought the score-line closer, ending the third quarter 44-45 to England.
England opened the final quarter with a quick goal, but a deflection from Kelly Jackson on Tchine’s shot then allowed the Silver Ferns to take the score-line back to within two.
Williams and Fadoju combined beautifully to intercept the ball and Tchine worked hard against some tough defensive pressure to convert, bringing the score to 49-52.
With just four minutes to play, the Silver Ferns’ defenders combined to secure an intercept, drawing the score level at 56-56 as captain Ekenasio re-entered the court.
Their centre pass followed and so the Silver Ferns took the lead by one goal with less than three minutes to go.
Standing up when it mattered, Fadoju forced an error in the Silver Ferns’ attacking end with the score at 57-57 and Tchine scored, giving her team a one-goal lead.
England’s attackers held onto the next critical possession of the ball, passing it around with patience and composure before Tchine nailed another shot and England took a two-goal lead.
There was time for one more goal for the silver Ferns, but it wasn’t enough to take the lead, with England retaining possession as the clock ticked down, and celebrating on court as they won the first game in the Taini Jamison Trophy 58-59.
What they said…
England captain Fran Williams said…
“I am just so proud. I think we showed so much maturity at the end to hold our composure in the way we played the ball around but still attacked down the court.
“Grace [Nweke] is one of the best shooters in the world at the moment and she’s so hard to beat, but our strength in the back is in our unit, the confidence we have in each other and the trust, and I think we were really active from the first minute today… I’m super proud of the girls for how we showed up and closed out that game.”
England head coach Jess Thirlby said…
“They’re becoming a little bit of a habit between us and the Silver Ferns and long may that continue because its such a healthy rivalry and we know it’s a brilliant contest every time we’re here.
“Today what I’m really impressed with is the will to win and the fact that we’re able to keep finding ways to get over the line.”
Vitality Roses fixtures and results (all live on Sky Sports)
September 19 – Australia 70-57 England – Report | Highlights | Full repeat
September 22 – Australia 59-61 England – Report | Highlights | Full repeat
September 25 – Australia 69-56 England – Report | Highlights | Full repeat
September 29 – New Zealand 58-59 England – Full repeat
October 2 – New Zealand vs England, second Test, Porirua – Live from 7.35am
October 6 – New Zealand vs England, third Test, Invercargill – Live from 7.35am