This has certainly been an interesting Netball World Cup when it has come to the top teams.
On Saturday reigning champions New Zealand were knocked out of the competition after England got a narrow 46-40 win at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Saturday.
The Silver Ferns were overwhelming favourites to win this game, having had the better of the Roses in all four of their previous final-four encounters dating back to 1991.
It was a nervous start from both sides, with a few frantic exchanges seeing possession changing hands on several occasions. Plenty of defensive pressure from both sides led to a low-scoring opening period, the momentum swinging both ways before the two sides reached the first break level on 9-9.
Things could have looked very different had England not struggled quite as much in the shooting circle, while New Zealand were shooting at 100% at the other end.
England’s impressive defence forced several errors from the Silver Ferns leading to them losing some ground in the second quarter.
The Roses edged three goals in front at one stage, but the New Zealanders wouldn’t let them get away, coming back in the final two-and-a-half minutes of the period to deny the Roses, while scoring three goals of their own to once again go into the break all square at 20-20.
The only change to the starting line-ups came from England at the start of the third quarter with Jade Clarke, playing in her record-equalling sixth Netball World Cup, coming on at centre for Imogen Allison.
Fran Williams came on around 10 minutes later at goal defence, replacing Layla Guscoth, who had done some excellent work in partnership with goalkeeper Geva Mentor in the defensive circle.
A great intercept from Kelly Jury in the circle with three minutes remaining saw New Zealand inching into the lead for the first time in the third quarter. But that lead didn’t last and there was once again nothing between the sides heading into the final break, all square on 32-32.
Allison returned to centre at the start of the period while New Zealand coach Noeline Taurua again stuck with her starting seven. With history beckoning, Williams pulled off a game-changing intercept to give England the edge with just over four minutes remaining and Allison delivered another to hand them all the momentum and surge even further in front. The Roses didn’t look back from there, scoring six goals on the trot at the end of the match to secure the 46-40 victory.
An emotional Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio said her side were devastated at not having the chance to defend their title.
“It’s really devastating for us. We’re feeling very heartbroken as well, especially knowing that we were in it for the three quarters and I think we really stood up,” she said. “It’s kind of been a bit of the story for us – that fourth quarter but I thought we had our chances as well in that. I guess it’s the way it goes but we have to get up again tomorrow [for the bronze medal match] and find a way. We’ve got a lot of heart left and we’re not done yet – we’ve got another game.”
England coach Jess Thirlby was understandably thrilled with her team’s performance, saying: “I’m really typically very proud, like I’m a little bit overwhelmed with what the team have just been able to do.
Absolute scenes!
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 5, 2023
England are through to the Netball World Cup final for the first time ever 🙌#BBCNetball #NWC2023 pic.twitter.com/4BcMTJ1aJV
“I think to win a game in that way is the most satisfying feeling… our capability on the court from a technical and tactical point of view, I’ve never questioned that or doubted it. I have 100% belief in it. I think the journey we’ve been on is how to manage ourselves through momentum in games against the best teams playing at their best,” she added.
“What a fantastic showcase by both teams. I thought New Zealand were excellent. They did what we kind of expected and maybe we struggled at times to really overcome that but mentally we stayed with it, and I think to end a game of that nature with a run of six just goes to tell you that you just have to stay in the game and it opened up an attack. Defence got what they needed when we needed it most and that’s really satisfying.”
IOL Sport