England beaten by Australia to netball bronze at Commonwealth Games
England's netballers suffered a 68-50 defeat against world number one Australia in the Commonwealth Games bronze-medal match.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- England lose 68-50 to Australia in the Commonwealth Games bronze match
- Australia bounce back after a shock semi-final defeat to Jamaica
- Anna Stembridge's side struggle with fatigue against the world number ones
England's netball team were defeated 68-50 by world number one side Australia in their quest to secure the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, in a repeat of the 2018 gold-medal match won by the Roses.
The match followed a frustrating Saturday morning semi-final loss to New Zealand, leaving England with little time to rally for a podium finish. They faced a Diamonds team equally eager to recover from one of the biggest shocks in tournament history after being stunned by Jamaica.
The crowd responded to a lively opening as great pressure from Roses captain Fran Williams forced Australia shooter Kiera Austin to miss at 5-5, allowing Liv Tchine to open up a lead. However, Australia soon found their rhythm, overturning a 9-7 deficit to lead 19-11 after a bruising first-quarter spell.
Netball at the Commonwealth Games consistently showcases elite competition among Commonwealth nations, with traditional powerhouses like Australia, New Zealand, and England dominating the scene. Australia's earlier defeat to Jamaica stands as a major tournament upset, highlighting the increasingly competitive nature of international netball.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Trailing by 16 points in the third quarter, England introduced shooter Eleanor Cardwell, whose presence helped spark a five-point unanswered run. Despite the late effort, Australia maintained their comfortable margin to secure the victory under coach Stacey Marinkovich.
Source: BBC Sport
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment