England’s Roses overturned an eight-goal deficit to claim their first Netball World Cup win, 56-55, over Australia and advance to the semi-finals as pool winners.
Down by one goal heading into the final quarter, England, led by shooters Helen Housby (22 from 22) and Eleanor Cardwell (34 from 35), came marching back to beat the Diamonds.
Savvy substitutions, defensive pressure and costly turnovers ultimately led the world No 1 side to an unexpected defeat.
England’s coach, Jess Thirlby, credited a complete squad performance with the historic win. “We know that we have depth in this 12,” she said. “I’ve spoken a lot around that kind of tactical change-up that we can apply, particularly in the defensive end, we’ve just got so many combinations.
“We know how good we are. And from a tactic point of view, we’re on par with the top teams. The most reassuring thing that we’ll take away from today, and it was much needed, is to be able to come back from eight down to see a game out in the open and closing quarter.”
While both teams had already qualified for the semi-finals, the Roses will now have the easier route as they line up against New Zealand who lost to Jamaica 59-48 after drawing with the hosts, South Africa, the night before.
Australia will play Jamaica, who they narrowly beat to win the Commonwealth title last year. Though calling the loss to England disappointing the Diamonds captain, Liz Watson, insisted they were prepared for everyone. “I said to the group after the game that our vision is still there and to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.
“We’ll learn from this game, obviously, because it’s a disappointing loss. But like Stacey [Marinkovich, Australia’s coach] said, there were lots of positives, especially in that second quarter.”
Having gone mostly untested in the tournament both sides were expected to show a little rust. The Diamonds displayed that in the opening frame as England imposed themselves.
The defending end – Geva Mentor, Layla Guscoth and Laura Malcolm – blunted Australia’s offence and in attack Cardwell was the perfect release point as the Roses rode out sustained pressure from their opposite.
A trickle of errors coupled with two blinding intercepts handed England the lead, which at one point, extended to five. The scoreline forced Australia’s hand with Sarah Klau brought in at goalkeeper; a nod to the efforts of Cardwell.
As was always the plan, Thirlby made the first of her changes, introducing Funmi Fadoju at the 10-minute mark. Her impact was instant and at the end of the quarter the Roses were in front 15-13.
Sometimes, even Diamonds need a little polish. With Klau commanding from the back, Australia started to force mistakes. From 17-15 down, they surged to a 21-19 lead, pushing Thirlby to change. But the Diamonds did not fold and by the end of the quarter they were 32-26 ahead.
If Australia were expecting a walkover, England were not prepared to give it. Thirlby shuffled the deck to start the second half and the new unit showed purpose. Chelsea Pitman, in at wing attack, unlocked Cardwell and Housby who put up a string of six unanswered goals to chomp into the lead.
The start of the fourth was a microcosm of the game. Australia started in possession before England turned it back. Then with Australia about to score England snatched it back. But the English fans here never stopped believing and on the stroke of the 49th minute their side recaptured the lead.
The Diamonds, throwing bibs around to find the personnel to halt the Roses, did draw things back to level with just under two minutes remaining. But as Australia went to equalise, a soft pass was all the invitation Fran Williams needed to claim the turnover.
As the final 10 seconds counted down England maintained possession to take the win.
