AUSTRALIA V ENGLAND

Q1: 5-3

Q2:  10-9

Q3: PP 18-13

Q4:  23-18

Umpires: Mandy Nottingham, Joel Young Strong

Reserves; Dalton Hines

England versus Australia was supposed to be the final but Jamaica and New Zealand booked their places in the showpiece of The Co-operative World Netball Series instead. 

Stinging from defeat by the “auld enemy” in the days first game, Australia, were raring to go in the play-off for third place and took a lead in the first quarter that they surrendered only once in the game.  England looked a little tired finding it tough to match the mobility of the Diamonds.

Starting the second period five-three down meant it was an uphill struggle for the home side but a two-pointer from Pamela Cookey levelled the score at 6-6 and it was game on again.  At times in the M.E.N Arena it is like a flock of pigeons have moved in and started roosting as the fans coo SHOOT at the attackers who must feel under pressure to oblige.

Both teams called their Power Plays in the third quarter, surely there could be another tinkering with the improved rules and make it possible for only one team to call the “double-bubble” but that is of course purely from a spectators point of view.  Once again England were unable to close the gap on their rivals by using the power-play although they did go ahead briefly after Sonia Mkoloma won a turn-over and Pamela Cookey landed the shot.

Despite stepping up the marking and keeping the ball out of as much danger as possible England could not catch Australia even with some double-pointers from Jo Harten.  They end this series with one win a piece and will resume on Tuesday in The Co-operative International Series in Bath.

AUSTRALIA

GS: Catherine Cox, GA:Susan Pratley, WA:Kim Green, C:Natalie Von Bertouch, WD:Johannah Curran, GD:Bianca Chatfield, GK:Susan Fuhrmann

BENCH:Natalie Medhurst, Kate Beveridge, Lauren Nourse, Rebecca Bulley, Renae HallinaN

ENGLAND 

GS:Jo Harten, GA:Pamela Cookey, WA:Karen Atkinson, C:Jade Clarke, WD: Sara Bayman, GD: Sonia Mkoloma, GK: Geva Mentor

Bench:Rachel Dunn, Tamsin Greenway,  Serena Guthrie,  Stacey Francis, Eboni Beckford Chambers