In a thrilling contest, England’s Vitality Roses secured a narrow victory over New Zealand in the first of their three-Test series in Auckland, finishing 59-58.
Despite trailing with three minutes remaining, the Vitality Roses displayed remarkable composure to clinch the win. England, coming off a competitive 2-1 series loss to world No 1 Australia, faced the second-ranked New Zealand with determination. Notable performances included Funmi Fadoju, who made five crucial gains, three of which were intercepts at pivotal moments.
The match began intensely, with the Silver Ferns capitalising on an early turnover to establish a small lead. Both teams then settled into a closely contested first quarter. No changes were made heading into the second quarter, where New Zealand’s Karin Burger intercepted within England’s shooting circle, helping her side secure a three-goal advantage. However, Fadoju’s timely deflection returned possession to England, showcasing the competitive spirit on display.
The score was tied at the half-time break with both teams locked at 29-29. This equalisation was achieved thanks to Liv Tchine, who managed to score rapidly despite New Zealand’s defensive efforts. Tchine’s consistency from long-range, notable even under pressure, was instrumental.
England’s defensive strategy came to the forefront in the third quarter. Fadoju and Fran Williams’ exceptional intercepts allowed England to gain and then extend a narrow one-goal advantage. This lead was bolstered by Helen Housby’s long-range shot, pushing England ahead to 36-40. Nevertheless, the Silver Ferns fought back, narrowing the gap to 44-45 by the end of the third quarter after forcing an error in England’s attacking end.
As the final quarter commenced, both teams knew the outcome hung in the balance. England opened with a quick goal, but a deflection by Kelly Jackson provided the Silver Ferns with an opportunity to bring the game back within two goals. Despite intense defensive pressure from New Zealand, Tchine’s persistence resulted in a key conversion, setting the score at 49-52.
With four minutes remaining, the Silver Ferns levelled at 56-56 following a critical intercept. Captain Ekenasio’s return saw New Zealand briefly take the lead. However, Fadoju’s forced error in New Zealand’s attacking end allowed Tchine to score, thereby regaining a one-goal lead for England. The Roses maintained possession patiently and executed their final plays flawlessly, resulting in a final score of 58-59.
Reflecting on the victory, England captain Fran Williams expressed pride in her team’s performance. ‘I am just so proud. I think we showed so much maturity at the end to hold our composure in the way we played the ball around but still attacked down the court,’ she commented. Williams also praised the defence, noting the confidence and trust within the unit.
Head coach Jess Thirlby also commended the team’s resilience and their ability to secure victories in tightly contested matches. ‘They’re becoming a little bit of a habit between us and the Silver Ferns and long may that continue because it’s such a healthy rivalry and we know it’s a brilliant contest every time we’re here,’ Thirlby stated. ‘Today what I’m really impressed with is the will to win and the fact that we’re able to keep finding ways to get over the line.’
England’s performance in the opening Test against New Zealand sets a promising tone for the remainder of the series. Their resilience and strategic prowess were evident throughout, suggesting an exciting continuation in the forthcoming matches.
