Netball World Cup 2023: Silver Ferns lose to England in semifinal

The Silver Ferns have been knocked out of the Netball World Cup in a pulsating 46-40 loss to England in the semifinal in Cape Town.

Late intercepts from Francesca Williams and Imogen Allison saw the Roses break a deadlock that had seen the teams level through 45 minutes.

It marks England’s first trip to the final and just the second time New Zealand have failed to make the big dance.

Dame Noeline Taurua shifted Kelly Jury from the midcourt back to goal keep along with Phoenix Karaka, with Karin Burger at wing defence.

England goal keep Geva Mentor gave Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Maia Wilson trouble getting shots away, twice forcing turnovers at the post early on.

Jury did the same for New Zealand, also creating two turnovers in the opening minutes.

The normally lethal English shooting circle of Eleanor Cardwell and Helen Housby had a shaky start, both firing misses in their first three attempts.

The Silver Ferns hit the lead after the Roses threw a centre pass straight to Burger, with their next offload into the shooting circle bouncing out off the post.

Despite the ever-present pressure from Mentor, Wilson and Ekenasio remained calm, both shooting at 100 percent in the first 15 minutes.

The England captain nabbed an intercept with 90 seconds remaining to see the Roses level proceedings at 9-all, the lowest-scoring first quarter of the tournament.

New Zealand gave up an early lead after the break when a pass from Karaka hit the face of Burger and ricocheted out.

Jury continued to produce turnover ball but the attackers failed to make the most of it, at times throwing intercept passes due to England’s smothering defence.

Burger kept the physicality raging with England wing attack Nat Metcalf, with Metcalf yelling at the umpires “how many times?!” after Burger was penalised for contact.

Jury forced yet another turnover in the circle but again the Ferns could not capitalise, while Mentor twice made contact with Wilson’s head in reaching from behind to deflect a pass.

Housby copped a holding penalty in the final minute of the second quarter and Wilson converted, drawing New Zealand level at 20-all just on halftime.

England had put up 25 shots by halftime compared to New Zealand’s 20, but Cardwell in particular was poor for the Roses, shooting 13 from 17.

Ekenasio fired her first miss from long range to start the third quarter, allowing England to get their noses out in front once more, but Wilson remained unshakeable by the post, helping New Zealand draw level following a couple of turnovers.

The two sides went blow-for-blow, with one of Ekenasio’s long-range shots swirling around the hoop before dropping in to keep things level.

With three minutes to play in the third period, Jury came up with a deflection which fell into the bread basket of Karaka.

The Silver Ferns converted swiftly before Ekenasio scored on their own centre pass for a two-goal lead.

After drawing back within one, England forced an intercept with seconds to go. Housby sunk the long-range attempt on the buzzer to make things 32-all, after a 12-all third quarter.

An offensive penalty by Wilson saw Cardwell tumbling and the Roses into a three-goal lead to start the fourth.

Heffernan produced an intercept a couple of minutes later but then threw a pass – intended for Wilson – out over the baseline.

Jury then forced a turnover at the other end and this time New Zealand converted, holding on their own centre pass to tie scores at 37-all with less than eight minutes to play.

However, England wing defence Williams came up with the match-winning intercept with four minutes to play.

Karaka almost stole it back at the other end but Housby converted and Cardwell followed up on the next play for the three-goal edge.

Roses centre Allison stole another on New Zealand’s centre pass and England closed it out for a 14-8 fourth quarter win and a spot in the final.

The Silver Ferns will play the loser of Australia’s clash with Jamaica in the bronze final.