In her home debut, London Pulse’s Berri Neil shone for England in a thrilling match.
In Manchester, amidst the cheers of 8,000 spectators, England narrowly escaped a fierce comeback from South Africa to clinch a 54-51 win in their series opener. The team led by eight points at the break but saw their lead diminish, losing the third quarter by one goal.
The Proteas intensified their efforts in the last quarter, outscoring England 15-11, yet the hosts persevered to secure the win.
This match marked the first time Jess Thirlby’s team played in England since their remarkable silver medal win at the Netball World Cup in South Africa last August.
The series continues with games in Nottingham on Saturday (17:00 GMT) and Sunday (14:00).
“There’s still more in store for us, and that’s thrilling,” commented head coach Thirlby to Sky Sports.
“I’m especially proud of the less experienced players who stepped up from the bench. It’s promising to see our potential and yet manage a victory against a formidable opponent like South Africa,” Thirlby added.
In other news:
- England’s rising star Fadoju admits playing with an earphone
- Contract extension for England head coach Thirlby
- Netball Australia’s pay dispute leads to players sleeping in cars
With only three starters from the World Cup final on the court in Manchester, England rested captain Nat Metcalf and Helen Housby, the World Cup’s best player. Thirlby has navigated the retirements of Geva Mentor and Chelsea Pitman, a knee injury to Laura Malcolm, and Layla Guscoth’s break from the sport.
Fran Williams led England as captain for the first time, joining Eleanor Cardwell, Funmi Fadoju, and Imogen Allison, who were back in action after missing a series in New Zealand.
“It’s amazing to be playing again,” said player of the match Allison to Sky Sports.
“We felt their momentum in the final quarter, so maintaining our unity was key. We lost some energy in the third quarter, which might explain my shift to wing defence. This team is extraordinary. It’s an honor to be part of it. We’re growing stronger together and thoroughly enjoying this journey.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about England South Africa Netball
Who were the standout players in the England vs South Africa netball match?
London Pulse’s Berri Neil made a notable appearance in her first home game for England. Fran Williams captained England for the first time, and Eleanor Cardwell, Funmi Fadoju, and Imogen Allison played their first match since the World Cup.
What was the final score in the England vs South Africa series opener?
England narrowly defeated South Africa with a score of 54-51 in the first game of their three-match series.
Where was the England vs South Africa match played?
The match took place in Manchester, witnessed by a lively crowd of 8,000 fans.
What challenges did England’s netball team face recently?
The team had to manage the retirements of Geva Mentor and Chelsea Pitman, Laura Malcolm’s knee injury, and Layla Guscoth taking a break from the sport.
What’s next for the England netball team in this series?
The next two matches in the series against South Africa are scheduled to take place in Nottingham, on Saturday and Sunday.
More about England South Africa Netball
- England Netball Official Website
- Sky Sports Netball Coverage
- Netball World Cup Highlights
- Manchester Sports News
- Nottingham Game Schedule
5 comments
This game was electrifying, being there was somethin else, the crowd was totally into it, Manchester rocks!!
Fran Williams as captain, what a move! She’s got leadership skills, but still, miss Metcalf and Housby on the court.
thirlby’s doing a great job with the team, but they need to work on their defense, almost lost it in the last quarter…
wow, England really pulled it off against SA, didn’t expect them to hold up after the World Cup changes, great game though!!
Berri Neil is a rising star for sure, amazing performance in her home debut, looking forward to seeing more of her in the future!