Roses land semi-final clash with Kiwis
ENGLAND will avoid arch-rivals Australia in the Netball World Cup semi-finals after beating long-term bogey team South Africa in their final group game.
recording a sixth win from six games, the roses drew a penaltyridden performance from the Proteas but lost their first quarter of the tournament in the final period. yet, by topping the group with a 58-47 win, they have set up what should be an easier semi-final tomorrow against New Zealand, who had earlier lost narrowly to Australia.
the roses benefited early on when South Africa captain Bongiwe Msomi went off with an ankle injury.
But they were by far the more clinical team in the opening 15 minutes, prompting high praise from head coach tracey Neville, who described it afterwards as the best quarter her team had played in the tournament.
they were also gifted free passes in and around the circle following illegal contact from South Africa, enabling them to take a 19-11 lead into the first break. that cushion proved crucial as England won the next two quarters by only three and two goals respectively.
In what developed into a frenetic match, players were putting their bodies on the line, and there was a worrying moment for England when Serena Guthrie suffered a heavy fall.
yet there was no let-up for the captain, and South Africa centre Erin Burger was given a warning early in the third quarter for repeated infringements on Guthrie.
As England went into the final quarter 43-30 up, Neville was heard telling her team ‘this is about mentality’ in an intense team talk.
And although she seemed comfortable enough to make three substitutions, there was a small setback for her team as they lost the quarter 17-15 to ruin their perfect record.
England were helped by consistent shooting from Jo Harten and Helen Housby, who both scored more than 90 per cent of their efforts.
yet Harten was quick to praise the work of her defensive and midcourt team-mates, after 10 goals were generated from turnovers.
She said: ‘the whole team had a feeling it was going to be a good day. We wanted to stamp our authority early and that is what we did. our mid-court were phenomenal. Bring on the semis now.’
Neville said: ‘We are here to commit every day. We want to win every day. I am really pleased with the way they handled themselves.’