England beat Wales in Netball Europe Opener

England began the defence of their Netball Europe Open, with a testing 54-48 win over Wales.

England got underway to a bright start establishing a four–one lead in the opening minutes. Wales responded with four goals of their own and the score moved onto 5 all. After the slight stumble England got into their stride and got the ball flying through the court. There were some great interceptions in the mid court area and with the quarter whistle they were 15 to 9.

No changes for England at quarter time and the side picked up where they left off by stretching their lead to nine goals in the first five minutes of the quarter. But then the wheel tried to come off but as the errors slipped into game. Having upped the tempo, England sometime struggled with the speed through the court as the pace almost ran away with them. Wales playing the steadier netball closed the gap back to six goals keeping the pressure on all through the court but England won the quarter 13-11 and the half 28-20.

For the third quarter coach Anna Mayes swapped Camilla Buchanan and Serena Guthrie and the resulting early run of goals from looked to have justified the change. But England seemed to lose focus and made unforced mistakes, gifting possession to Wales. Shooters Becky James and Cara-lea Moseley had a near faultless quarter converting what they were given and taking Wales to a 15-11 quarter win. It pulled them back into the game with 15 minutes to play England only led by four at 39-35.

England reverted to the starting line-up for the final quarter. Wales were dogged and pulled back to within 2 goals on several occasions as they continued to score relentlessly from all shooting opportunities. An erratic England backed up moments of superb netball with less impressive and uncharacteristic blunders. Wales were happy to take the offered possession and turning it into goals.

In the end final surge from England outscoring their opponents seven goals to three saw them home with a win. It was not always pretty but the team completed the job.

On Saturday England beat Northern Ireland 64-39, a full match report will be posted when it is available. England play Scotland on Sunday at 11am.

GS - Jo Harten Q1:8-11 Q2: 8-9 Q3: 9-11 Q4: 11-13
GA - Asha Tett Q1:7-8 Q2: 5-7 Q3: 2-3 Q4: 4-5
WA - Sasha Corbin
C - Serena Guthrie
WD - Camilla Buchanan
GD - Stacey Francis
GK -Eboni Beckford Chambers

Subs: Monique Wood

Q1: 15-9
Q2: 28-20 (14-11)
Q3: 39-35 (11-15)
Q4: 54-48 (15-13)

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England beat Wales in Netball Europe Opener

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