England Roses suffer Quad Series defeat to New Zealand in Liverpool

England suffered their first defeat of the Quad Series, going down 37-61 to New Zealand at Liverpool's Echo Arena.

After extra-time victory over South Africa in Durban, the Roses faced the second-ranked team in the world and New Zealand proved too powerful as they ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Too many mistakes undermined Tracey Neville's team, who missed chances to stay within touching distance and conceded far too many turnovers as the Kiwis bounced back from defeat to Australia in Durban last weekend.

Both teams head to Wembley for the conclusion of the Quad Series on Sunday with Australia in the driving seat to retain the title they won before Christmas, having beaten South Africa on Tuesday a win against England will give the Diamonds the title.

New Zealand's hopes of the title will rest on a defeat for Australia and a victory of their own against South Africa at the SSE Arena.

It was the Silver Ferns who raced into the lead, and within six minutes had opened a seven-goal lead with a dominant defence turning over ball to seize the initiative and allow the formidable Ferns shooters to flourish.

Kadeen Corbin got England on a run to close within four but once again the shooting prowess of Maria Tutaia ensured the Roses were punished for their turnovers

England fought back again, with Chelsea Pitman, Corbin and Helen Housby combining well in attack to keep Neville's team within touching distance and by the end of the opening quarter trailed by just three goals.

That was as good as it good for the Roses whose attempts to force the play at the start of the second quarter were thwarted by the Kiwis, who forced a couple of early turnovers to go with a couple of Roses misses.

The response was an unanswered run of nine goals with Tutaia and Bailey Mes ruthless in opening up a 25-13 lead.

Housby stopped the rot for England but they could not close the gap as Tutaia traded goals with England's attacking pair to ensure the Silver Ferns maintained their 12-goal lead into the half-time interval.

Despite an improved Roses showing in the third quarter, the New Zealand defence, marshalled by Anna Harrison, stood firm as the teams traded back and forth with England unable to make any inroads.

The best they could manage was closing the gap to 10 goals but Tutaia ensured the gap was not to close heading into the final 15 minutes where the visitors ran away with the game.

Having lost by 26 goals to the Kiwis in the inaugural Quad Series, England were determined to not let the game run away from them but their extra-time exertions from their opener began to take their toll.

A fresher New Zealand seven, boosted by the introduction of some lively replacements, opened up a huge advantage to secure the victory.

You can follow the conclusion of the Quad Series on Sunday from 1pm on Sky Sports Mix when England face Australia and New Zealand face South Africa at Wembley's SSE Arena.