Third series win for England in 'game of two halves'
ENGLAND finished the International Netball Series with a third win against Jamaica last night, in what coach Sue Hawkins called “a game of two halves.”
The result leaves the series hosts with a triple whammy of victories to add to the IFNA points table.[>
With the three-match series title already in the bag England coach Hawkins chose to shake up the starting line-up for the match in Nottingham, with Sonia Mkoloma benched and Eboni Beckford-Chambers in defence with Geva Mentor.[>
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As expected Karen Atkinson captained the side as she pulled on the England bib for the 100th time.[>
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EXPRESS PHOTO GALLERIES: NETBALL SERIES ACTION SHOTS
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Jamaica’s starting team were largely unchanged – though perhaps playing Malysha Kelly at goal-defence helped the Sunshine Girls take the lead for the first time in the series during the second quarter.[>
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Jamaica managed to outwit the home side with swift passing through the mid-court and their grim determination put the visitors ahead by one goal at half-time at 27-28.[>
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Coach Hawkins promptly shuffled the pack for the third quarter bringing on Sonia Mkoloma at GD and Louisa Brownfield at GS.[>
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Karen Atkinson swapped bibs with Jade Clarke and in the WA position seemed to push herself even further to earn that 100th cap. [>
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Sara Bayman was brought on at wing-defence after a superb show at the O2 and produced another excellent run-out, winning post-match praise from her coach.[>
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Jamaica were forced into a substitution after WD Tracy-Ann Robinson injured her leg and was replaced by Sateva Taylor.[>
In the remaining half hour the teams ranked third (England) and fourth (Jamaica) in the world were hard to separate.[>
And with just three and a half minutes left on the clock for the third quarter they were locked at 37-all.[>
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England's eighth player - in the form of the 4,600-strong crowd - inspired the side to re-claim the lead, and they took the quarter 41-38.[>
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Going into the last 15 minutes of the match England’s controlled play extended their lead while Jamaica were spent. [>
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Coach Hawkins said: "It was a game of two-halves but the changes at half-time gave us more stability in centre court. [>
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“There are certainly a few things we want to work on for the next time we play them."[>
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The night belonged to England's ton-up skipper Karen Atkinson who was also named the Mitre Player of Match. [>
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Her young twin nephews helped England Netball CEO Paul Clark and Liz Matkin, of the Co-operative, bring on flowers from her team and 100 red roses from her family.[>
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EXPRESS PHOTO GALLERIES: NETBALL SERIES ACTION SHOTS[>
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SCORES[>
(England/Jamaica)[>
Q1: 17-15
Q2: 27-28
Q3: 41-38
Q4: 55-49[>
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ENGLAND[>
STARTING LINE-UPS
GS Rachel Dunn, GA Pamela Cookey, WA Tamsin Greenway, C Karen Atkinson (captain), WD Jade Clarke, GD Eboni Beckford- Chambers, GK Geva Mentor[>
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SHOOTING STATS
Rachel Dunn 14/15 = 93%
Pam Cookey 29/28 = 76%
Louisa Brownfield 12/14 = 86%[>
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JAMAICA [>
STARTING LINE-UPS
GS Romelda Aiken, GA Simone Forbes (captain), WA Nadine Bryan, C Paula Thompson, WD Tracy-Ann Robinson, GD Malysha Kelly, GK Nicole Aiken[>
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SHOOTING STATS
Romelda Aiken 38/43 = 88%
Simone Forbes 11/12 = 92%[>