England’s Vitality Roses have eased to a 71-47 victory over South Africa in their opening fixture of the 2022 Netball Quad Series at the Copper Box Arena in London, on Saturday, 15 January.
The match was highly anticipated for home team stalwart Geva Mentor’s 150th appearance in national colours, but it was substitute George Fisher’s entry at the start of the second quarter that saw the major impact in the fixture, helping to spur the home team’s slim three-goal first quarter lead into a 13-goal margin at half-time.
The Roses managed to keep a healthy scoring advantage over the visitors in the third- and final quarters, and never looked back despite the best efforts of Bongiwe Msomi’s hard-working visitors.
England had come into the series with series wins against New Zealand and Jamaica, and once the home side had accumulated more than 50 points on the board, coach Jess Thirlby took the opportunity to bring substitutes into the action for match experience.
New Zealand’s Silver Ferns take on Australia in their opening encounter on Saturday, South Africa will face Australia in their second match on Sunday, while England and New Zealand will complete the weekend’s fixtures.
England Starting Seven:
GS – Eleanor Cardwell
GA – Helen Housby
WA – Natalie Metcalf
C – Serena Guthrie
WD – Beth Cobden
GD – Layla Guscoth
GK – Geva Mentor
Substitutes:
Imogen Allison
Sophie Drakeford-Lewis
George Fisher
Laura Malcolm
Eboni Usoro-Brown
Head Coach: Jess Thirlby
South Africa Starting Seven:
GS – Ine-Marí Venter
GA – Lefébre Rademan
WA – Bongiwe Msomi (C)
C – Ivette Griesel
WD – Khanyisa Chawane
GD – Monique Reyeke
GK – Phumza Maweni
Substitutes:
Sigrid Burger
Jessica du Plessis
Tshina Mdau
Zanele Vimbela
Simoné Rabie
Head Coach: Dorette Badenhorst
Asst. Coach: Dumisani Chauke
Team Manager: Nisha Rupnarain
Photo Caption: England’s Vitality Roses have eased to a 71-47 victory over South Africa in their opening fixture of the 2022 Netball Quad Series at the Copper Box Arena in London, on Saturday, 15 January. Photo: Netball South Africa (Twitter)
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