In a thrilling opening match of the Horizon Series held at the AO Arena in Manchester, England faced a dramatic setback as they were held to a tie against Jamaica. The match, which saw a nail-biting finish, ended with both teams at 49 goals each, thanks to a last-second shot from Jamaica’s shooter, Shanice Beckford. This result was particularly disappointing for England, who had maintained a lead for three quarters of the match, only to see their advantage slip away in the final moments.
From the outset, the England Roses appeared to have the match under control, securing a promising six-goal lead at halftime. However, the Sunshine Girls, despite not having played a full international test since their third-place finish at the 2023 World Cup, mounted a determined comeback. They managed to rally through the final period, capitalizing on mistakes made by the English side, which ultimately led to the draw.
The next match in this electrifying four-match series is scheduled for Sunday at 14:00 GMT, and fans can watch it live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website and app. Following the matches in Manchester, the series will return to Jamaica, with games taking place in the capital city, Kingston, on the 25th and 26th of November.
During the match, Jamaica initially disrupted England’s flow, keeping the score level at 13-13 after the first quarter. Nonetheless, England regained their composure in the second quarter, where player Helen Housby executed a spectacular long shot just before the halftime whistle, thrilling the home crowd and extending England’s lead further.
Defensively, England showcased significant prowess, with players like Imogen Allison and Funmi Fadoju standing out. However, they often struggled against Jamaica’s towering shooter, Romelda Aiken-George. The English coach, Jess Thirlby, made several adjustments throughout the third quarter. Jamaica’s resilience shone through, as they steadily narrowed the gap and trailed by only three goals heading into an intensely competitive final period.
As the match drew closer to its conclusion, Jamaica’s efforts paid off after they seized the lead for the first time midway through the last quarter. Remarkably, a crucial interception made by England’s captain, Fran Williams, briefly shifted momentum back in favor of the Roses. However, the closing minutes of the match were characterized by gripping defensive displays from both sides. Fadoju made two key interceptions, showcasing her skills, while Shamera Sterling made a crucial play to steal the ball from England’s Lois Pearson with mere seconds remaining.
Despite opportunities to seal the game, Aiken-George missed her subsequent shot attempts, allowing Beckford to snag the rebound and score just in time to level the match, much to the delight of the Jamaican team.
For England, this match was compounded by the absence of key shooter Eleanor Cardwell, who is sidelined due to injury. Additionally, Natalie Metcalf was not available, having recently announced her pregnancy. This draw not only reflects Jamaica’s strong performance but also poses challenges for England as they adjust their tactics and line-up in the absence of these vital players.
The tightly contested match has set an exhilarating precedent for the rest of the series, creating anticipation among fans and players alike as they prepare for the rematch on Sunday. With both teams demonstrating their capabilities and resilience, the forthcoming matches promise more excitement and suspense. The Horizon Series stands as an important event for netball, with implications for rankings and team morale heading into future competitions.
