England were beaten 55-49 by New Zealand in the deciding Test of the three-match Vitality International series at Manchester’s AO Arena, giving the Silver Ferns the series victory.
New Zealand opened the series with a win at the Copper Box Arena, England levelled in the second Test, but errors proved costly for Jess Thirlby’s side in the decider. England led 14-11 after the first quarter, but sloppy possession in the second allowed the visitors to nudge ahead and go into half-time two goals up.
The Roses rallied in the third quarter, with Funmi Fadoju and Helen Housby driving the attack, yet New Zealand still held a 42-38 advantage at the final break and were able to maintain that margin in the closing stages.
Thirlby made changes to England’s attacking combinations during the match but said it was careless turnovers and a failure to apply scoreboard pressure that decided the result. “There was so much more for us to give and I wanted them to take the shackles off. It’s really disappointing because we gave them the ball today,” she said, adding that without scoreboard pressure it becomes “an uphill battle.”
Kelly Jackson, named player of the match for New Zealand, described the win as a satisfying finish after a tough few months and said the team were pleased to end on a high before a long break.
England now turn their attention to the Vitality Netball Horizon Series in Jamaica, with two Tests in Kingston on December 6 and 7, followed by two fixtures back at London’s Copper Box Arena on December 13 and 14.
Series results vs New Zealand:
– Nov 15, Copper Box: England 58-61 New Zealand
– Nov 16, Copper Box: England 61-58 New Zealand
– Nov 19, AO Arena, Manchester: England 49-55 New Zealand
Times and broadcast arrangements are subject to change.