Sunday 16 August 2015 07:51, UK
England have lost their Netball World Cup semi-final after defeat to New Zealand 50-39.
The Roses got off to a slow start and struggled to find a way to recover under the impressive defensive efforts of the Silver Ferns.
Tracey Neville opted for experience in her seven, except for 20-year-old Helen Housby who started at Goal Attack. Housby struggled under the intense and excellent defence of Casey Kopua in the circle only scoring 1/4 and made way for veteran Pam Cookey in the second quarter with England trailing 11-5.
England, who are ranked third in the world, won the second quarter thanks to the clever court craft of Cookey and fellow shooter Jo Harten. Despite this small victory the Silver Ferns maintained pressure across the midcourt with Kayla Cullen preventing Tamsin Greenway from moving the ball with any fluency. New Zealand took a 21-17 lead into the half-time break.
It was deja vu in the third quarter as the Silver Ferns came out with fresh intent. Goal Attack Maria Tutaia was in devastating form, shooting 35/42 and many of those from the edge of the circle.
England struggled to keep up with the Ferns as they bossed the mid-court and applied sustained pressure on the attacking feed. By the end of the quarter New Zealand had run away to a 10-goal advantage to lead 37-27.
Unsurprisingly, Tracey Neville made changes for the final 15 minutes bringing of Sonia Mkoloma in defence and Sara Bayman at Centre. But the deficit was too large for the Roses to turn around despite valiant efforts across the court the Ferns class came through.
England will take on with Jamaica in the bronze medal match on Sunday. You can watch it live on Sky Sports 4 from 4:05am on Sunday August 16.
