Team England gave a sell-out home crowd a passionate performance on court on Sunday, but unfortunately had to settle for a fourth-place finish after a 55-48 defeat to reigning world champions New Zealand.
The match was not only the final chance for Team England to claim silverware, but also the last dance for England defensive stalwarts Eboni Usoro-Brown and Stacey Francis-Bayman. The pair have over 200 caps between them and stepped out in the red dress for one last time.
Team England starting seven: Geva Mentor (GK), Layla Guscoth (GD), Laura Malcolm (WD), Jade Clarke (C), Natalie Metcalf (WA), Helen Housby (GA), Eleanor Cardwell (GS).
Substitutes: Stacey Francis-Bayman, Imogen Allison, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis, Eboni Usoro-Brown, Jo Harten
New Zealand starting seven: Kelly Jury (GK), Phoenix Karaka (GD), Kate Heffernan (WD), Whitney Souness (C), Gina Crampton (WA), Te Paea Selby-Rickett (GA), Grace Nweke (GS).
Substitutes: Kayla Johnson, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Bailey Mes, Shannon Saunders, Maia Wilson
Quarter one:
Running out for the last time in the Games, Team England were greeted by a deafening home crowd and a standing ovation. In a final bid to claim silverware, England reverted their starting line-up to that familiar in the group stages with Cardwell and Housby taking on the shooting circle.
The first interception of the match came just minutes into the quarter from Guscoth who stole New Zealand’s centre pass to take an early one-goal lead. This didn’t last long however with New Zealand’s defensive unit responding quickly and slowing England’s ability to get the ball quickly into the circle. Using back up on the line, Metcalf and Clarke worked tirelessly to open up space. Meanwhile at the other end of the court, defensive duo Mentor and Guscoth continuously hassled New Zealand’s young shooter, Nweke. Nweke, making her Games debut, was up against the experienced Mentor, who was making her sixth Games appearance. Goal-for-goal for the remainder of the quarter, New Zealand claimed the opening lead 14-13.
Quarter two:
Eager to turn the game in their favour, an unchanged England side returned for the second quarter. Taking a tumble on the circle edge, Metcalf recovered quickly to send the ball straight into Cardwell to convert. Increasing the physicality, both sides fought tooth and nail causing contact calls through court and a caution to Cardwell. An injection of Francis-Bayman to goal defence in her final game before retirement saw an elated crowd. She made an instant impact, stealing a well-used pass into New Zealand’s Nweke. In their seventh game in almost as many days, fatigue began to show from England as New Zealand stepped up a gear and extended their lead. A last-minute intercept from Malcolm was converted by Cardwell to close the gap by one heading into the second half. New Zealand held their lead of six.
Quarter three:
Ringing changes for the second half, Malcolm moved to the centre spot with Allison coming into wing defence. Looking straight into the circle for Nweke, New Zealand’s favoured pass was challenged by Mentor and Francis-Bayman to be awarded with a back line pass. Penalised for three seconds, England were offered another opportunity to close the gap and did so to bring the score within four halfway through the quarter. However, despite the noise from Harten on the bench, England soon let it slip as New Zealand pushed on once again. A last-second goal from Cardwell brough the score to within six.
Quarter four:
The final fifteen minutes saw Head Coach Jess Thirlby make changes to the court, bringing Harten into the goal circle and Guscoth back into the defensive end. Providing patience in the circle, Harten used one-twos to Metcalf to position herself directly under the post and was rewarded with her first shot of the game.
As the clock ticked down, Mentor gave it everything to tip the pass to Nweke and it was picked up by Francis-Bayman. Less than a minute to go and Usoro-Brown entered the mix, tears in her eyes at her final moment in the red dress. Having announced her retirement from netball just hours before the first centre pass, the defensive stalwart had yet to take to court but in the last minute of the game was awarded the final cap of her career.
A hugely passionate England side, in front of a roaring crowd, gave the match everything they had left in the tank. But as the final whistle sounded it was England who had fallen short at the hands of world champions New Zealand, who celebrated a 55-48 victory over the home side with a Haka performance.
The result sees Team England finish fourth overall in the tournament.
If you’re new to our sport and want to have a go yourself, we have programmes for everyone aged 5 to 95 from Bee Netball for children, to Back to Netball for those returning, to Walking Netball, a slower version of the game we love. Through the netball finder on our homepage, simply select play and enter your postcode and you’ll find a variety of sessions in your area.
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