Ton-up Harten gets England off to a flier

ENGLAND got their Netball World Cup campaign off to a thrilling start in Liverpool last night, helped by shooter Jo Harten shining on her 100th cap with 29 goals.

Tracey Neville’s (pictured) team are bidding to lift the trophy for the first time in England’s history and raced clear after a close first 10 minutes to beat Uganda 64-32 on the opening night of the tournament.

England had to endure a physical display from Uganda, who ended up with six players after Stella Oyella was sent off for poor conduct.

But having been up 8-6 after 10 minutes they went into the first break 15-6, and never looked like giving up the lead.

That cushion extended to 13 goals by half time, but it was in the final quarter when England really showed their class, winning that period 20-6 to give them a comfortable win.

Neville used all 12 players in her squad in this first match, ahead of what could be eight matches in 10 days and take on Scotland today.

England Roses were urged to ‘bring the Netball World Cup home’ by the Lionesses, who sent the squad a good luck message ahead of their opening match last night. Sending a video to the team, Phil Neville’s captain Steph Houghton said that she and her team would be firmly behind them over the next 10 days of competition. Australia laid down a fierce marker on the first day, thrashing Northern Ireland 88-24 in a victory to cement their position as favourites.

The Diamonds have arrived in Liverpool bidding to turn the tables on England, who beat them in the Commonwealth Games final last year with a last-second goal.