Netballers book a first final spot
England’s netballers reached a first Commonwealth Games final in dramatic circumstances as Jo Harten netted a last-gasp goal to seal a 56-55 comeback victory over Jamaica.
Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt watched on as 6ft 5in goal- shooter Jhaniele Fowler-reid’s inspired shooting propelled Jamaica into a formidable six-goal half-time lead.
Tracey Neville’s side chipped away at the deficit, with Helen Housby shooting well and Geva Mentor and Eboni Beckford-chambers in defence forcing Fowler- Reid into rare missed shots. She missed three in the whole game, scoring 47.
Housby netted to level at 5 0 - 50 wi t h six minutes remaining, but England needed to keep up the intensity.
Jamaica levelled at 55-all with 25 seconds remaining. England used the clock, Housby missed, but Harten kept her composure to spark jubilant celebrations.
After semi-final defeats in all five previous editions of the Commonwealth Games in which netball has been included, with three bronze medals, England finally have a shot at gold.
England will face hosts Australia in the final after their 65-44 win over New Zealand.
“What a comeback for our girls,” said Neville, sister of former England footballers Gary and Phil, and a Commonwealth bronze medallist in 1998.
“I just said to them now: as a player I only dreamed to be in this situation, but I was never good enough. It’s great to live my dream through these girls and they’ve just done so well.”