England Roses win against Jamaica to level Netball international series
Monday 5 December 2016 07:05, UK
England produced a hugely improved performance to beat Jamaica 63-50 and level the three-match Vitality International Series.
The Roses, trailing after a 66-49 defeat at the Copper Box on Tuesday, were improved in defence and attack to force the series into a third test decider at the Ricoh Arena on Sunday, a game you can see on Sky Sports 3, our digital platforms and our Sky Sports Facebook page.
Captain and player of the match Ama Agbeze led the way in defence while Joanne Harten and Kadeen Corbin were relentless in their shooting accuracy (91 per cent) as the Roses physical display saw off the Sunshine Girls at Belle Vue in Manchester.
Tracey Neville had demanded a reaction after the opening loss and made one change in personnel, bringing Beth Cobden into the team while switching Agbeze and Eboni Beckford Chambers - Agbeze moving to the goalkeeper position.
And Neville got the response she asked for with a dominant opening quarter that saw the attack reward an impressive defensive display, Cobden and Agbeze winning plenty of turnover ball that the attack turned into a constant stream of goals.
Harten and Corbin were ruthless under the posts as the Roses forged a 10-goal advantage to lead at the end of a first quarter that saw young Jamaican goalkeeper Shamera Sterling's frustrations boil over into an early caution.
Having lost in London by 17 goals, Neville will have been delighted with the England performance which extended into the second quarter.
Sunshine Girls shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid could not replicate her dominance from the opening match with Agbeze giving her a tougher test inside the circle and England were able to extend their lead.
Corbin produced some eye-catching long-range finishing as England continued to make turnover ball count pushing out their advantage to 12 goals to lead 32-20 at the interval.
England's physical approach continued to pay dividends forcing Fowler-Reid and Shanice Beckford into errors in the circle, and while the visitors managed to close the gap Harten's relentless goal shooting maintained a comfortable advantage.
The Roses finishing the quarter strongly to lead 47-32 going into the final 15 minutes.
Having complained about a lack of effort in the closing stages on Monday, Neville saw her side press home their dominance in a relentless final quarter to run out comfortable winners.
England starting line-up: GK - Ama Agbeze; GD - Eboni Beckford Chambers; WD - Beth Cobden; C - Jade Clarke; WA - Serena Guthrie; GA - Kadeen Corbin; GS - Joanne Harten.
Watch England v Jamaica on Sky Sports 3 on Sunday from 5.15pm or on Sky Sports netball page, app and our Sky Sports Facebook page.
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