Following a hugely competitive series against world number ones Australia, the Vitality Roses faced the world number two team, the Silver Ferns, in the first instalment of the Taini Jamison Trophy, coming out with a narrow one-goal win.
This match marked the first time the two sides have met since the Vitality Netball Nations Cup in January 2024, where England also came away with the win, narrowly defeating the Silver Ferns 58-57 in Leeds.
Both Liv Tchine and Lois Pearson were part of England’s starting seven, marking their first international appearance against the Silver Ferns, and both put out assured performances, with Pearson delivering 15 circle feeds in 30 minutes on court, and Tchine shooting an incredible 41 goals at 91% accuracy. Another standout performer was Funmi Fadoju, who was chosen as the player of the match after notching up an incredible five gains, including three intercepts, which all came at critical times throughout the game.
As the game got underway, an early turnover by the Silver Ferns’ defence allowed them to take a narrow lead. Both teams took some time to settle into the first quarter, before an exciting period of goal-for-goal play ensued.
Helen Housby dictated play in the Vitality Roses’ shooting circle in the early stages of the match, before an intercept from Kate Heffernan allowed the Silver Ferns to take an early two goal lead.
Kelly Jackson snapped up the rebound of a miss from Tchine, but this was quickly followed by an error from the Silver Ferns on their centre pass which allowed the Vitality Roses to keep the goal margin at two with less than five minutes remaining in the quarter.
An attacking contact was then called on Grace Nweke and Housby converted this turnover to a goal, levelling the score at 11-11.
Some fantastic composure from Tchine saw her continue to shoot mid-range shots with confidence as the quarter closed out, bringing the score to 15-14 in favour of the Silver Ferns at the end of the first quarter.
Neither side made any changes heading into the second quarter and both teams came out of the break with real intent. Karin Burger intercepted the ball in the Vitality Roses’ shooting circle allowing New Zealand to take a three-goal lead, before a deflection from Fadoju put the ball back in the Vitality Roses’ possession.
Impressive defence from England saw them hold the Silver Ferns’ attacking play high up the court, but eventually New Zealand found a way to break through the defence to score.
Shortly afterwards Beth Cobden’s defensive pressure caused New Zealand to spill the ball off the side line. Through some crafty attacking play by Housby, England levelled the score at 19-19 with their centre pass to follow.
A mistake feeding the Silver Ferns’ shooting circle resulted in the ball going off the back line and provided the Vitality Roses with the chance to go ahead. Reliable as ever, Tchine took the lead to 24-27 with two quick goals.
Fantastic long-range shooting from Tchine continued, until a miss with two minutes to play in the quarter enabled the Silver Ferns to equalise, bringing the score to 29-29 at half time.
As the second half started the Vitality Roses made one change, with Hannah Joseph coming on in wing attack. The Silver Ferns also made some changes, with Claire O'Brien coming into wing attack, making her debut for the Silver Ferns, and Kimiora Poi moving to centre.
More impressive defensive work from Fadoju allowed the Vitality Roses to close the gap that the Silver Ferns had opened in the early minutes of the third quarter.
Fran Williams earnt a brilliant intercept and the Vitality Roses took a one-goal lead which they were then able to extend with their centre pass that followed. Another defensive win from Williams quickly gave England another opportunity and, after a long range shot from Housby and some composure from Tchine, the scoreline grew to 36-40.
Madeline Gordon then re-entered the court in centre in place of Poi for the Silver Ferns, swiftly followed by Ameliaranne Ekenasio also coming back onto court in goal attack after spending some time on the bench earlier in the quarter.
The Silver Ferns forced an error in the Vitality Roses’ attacking end, giving them the opportunity to close the gap to two with their centre pass to follow. This brought the scoreline closer, ending the third quarter 44-45 to the Vitality Roses.
England opened the final quarter with a quick goal, but a deflection from Kelly Jackson on Tchine’s shot then allowed the Silver Ferns to take the scoreline back to within two. Ekenasio came off the court for Maia Wilson again as the game continued to go goal-for-goal and the volume level in the arena rose with every pass.
Fran Williams and Fadoju combined beautifully to intercept the ball and Tchine worked hard against some tough defensive pressure to convert, bringing the score to 49-52.
A Silver Ferns' throw in on England’s possession allowed New Zealand to close the gap and begin to build some momentum in their favour. However, the English attackers remained calm under pressure and continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Crowds in the arena cheered as Parris Mason made her Silver Ferns debut in goal defence, moving Karin Burger into wing defence. With these changes, the intensity continued to grow on court as each team kept composed and controlled, taking their own possession to goal.
With just four minutes to play, the Silver Ferns’ defenders combined to secure an intercept, drawing the score level at 56-56 as captain Ekenasio re-entered the court. Their centre pass followed and so the Silver Ferns took the lead by one goal with less than three minutes to go.
Standing up when it mattered, Fadoju forced an error in the Silver Ferns’ attacking end with the score at 57-57 and Tchine scored, giving her team a one-goal lead.
The Vitality Roses attackers held onto the next critical possession of the ball, passing it around with patience and composure before Tchine nailed another shot and England took a two goal lead.
There was time for one more goal for the Silver Ferns, but it wasn’t enough to take the lead, with the Vitality Roses retaining possession as the clock ticked down, and celebrating on court as they won the first game in the Taini Jamison Trophy 58-59.
Speaking after the match Vitality Roses captain Fran Williams said: “I am just so proud. I think we showed so much maturity at the end to hold our composure in the way we played the ball around but still attacked down the court.”
“Grace [Nweke] is one of the best shooters in the world at the moment and she’s so hard to beat, but our strength in the back is in our unit, the confidence we have in each other and the trust, and I think we were really active from the first minute today… I’m super proud of the girls for how we showed up and closed out that game.”
Reflecting on the close nature of the game and the narrow winning margin, Vitality Roses Head Coach Jess Thirlby said: “They’re becoming a little bit of a habit between us and the Silver Ferns and long may that continue because its such a healthy rivalry and we know it’s a brilliant contest every time we’re here… today what I’m really impressed with is the will to win and the fact that we’re able to keep finding ways to get over the line.”
If you enjoyed watching today’s game, don’t miss the chance to see the Vitality Roses playing back on home soil against Jamaica in November. The Vitality Netball Horizon Series comes to Manchester’s AO Arena on 16 and 17 November, you can get tickets here.
Vitality Roses starting seven: Fran Williams (GK), Funmi Fadoju (GD), Beth Cobden (WD), Imogen Allison (C), Lois Pearson (WA), Helen Housby (GA), Liv Tchine (GS)
Substitutes: Amy Carter, Alice Harvey, Hannah Joseph, Berri Neil, Razia Quashie
Silver Ferns starting seven: Grace Nweke (GS), Ameliaranne Ekenasio (GA), Kimiora Poi (WA), Madeline Gordon (C), Kate Heffernan (WD), Karin Burger (GD), Kelly Jackson (GK)
Substitutes: Amelia Walmsley, Maia Wilson, Claire O’Brien, Parris Mason, Erena Mikaere
Image: Michael Bradley Photography Ltd
