England edge Napier thriller against New Zealand to set up series decider
Sunday 10 September 2017 19:34, UK
England beat New Zealand 49-46 in an exciting match in Napier to level up their series at 1-1 and force a decider.
England lost the first match in the series 62-55 but hit back as Jo Harten scored twice late on, setting the stage perfectly for Wednesday's decider in Hamilton.
England coach Tracey Neville selected the same seven who began the first match of the series and they seized control in the third quarter, storming into a six-goal lead, with player of the match Serena Guthrie outstanding in mid-court.
But the Silver Ferns fought back strongly and it was 45-45 with only three minutes left.
However, Geva Mentor came up with a vital defensive pick-up for England and Harten crucially found the net after a pass from Chelsea Pitman.
Harten converted 25 of her 32 shots in the match and she finished things off in style, finding the target once again after a desperate New Zealand attack was broken up.
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