Commonwealth Games: England attain semi-finals with win over Uganda | Netball News

England stay unbeaten in Pool B and a 56-35 victory over Uganda ensures they may participate in Saturday’s semi-finals; a gathering on Thursday evening with New Zealand ought to decide in the event that they end first or second within the group; England are the defending Commonwealth Games champions

England booked their place within the semi-finals of the netball competitors on the Commonwealth Games after a 56-35 victory over Uganda on Tuesday.

Jess Thirlby’s crew will end both first or second in Pool B and a duel with world champions New Zealand on Thursday evening ought to determine that, so long as the Silver Ferns beat Trinidad & Tobago afterward Tuesday.

From the outset, England’s full-court defensive stress helped to restrict Uganda’s choices and, in assault, England labored rapidly and well.

The house crew hassled laborious to open up a 25-15 lead by half-time. A powerful third quarter put the sport out of Uganda’s attain and enabled England to resist the She Cranes’ tenacity within the final.

England’s assembly with New Zealand has a primary centre cross of 9pm on Thursday evening

With Uganda’s fast path to aim within the type of Proscovia Peace, England knew they wanted to pressure errors greater up the courtroom to beat the sixth-ranked aspect on the planet.

Thirlby opted for the expertise of Geva Mentor at aim keeper to immediately mark Peace and on this, her sixth Commonwealth Games, Mentor knew precisely what to do.

England’s mid-courters had their arms over each ball from minute one too and, as a collective, Thirlby’s crew hassled laborious from end-to-end.

England’s defenders labored exceptionally laborious in opposition to Uganda

Their dedication pressured a few missed feeds from Stella Oyella and Jesca Achan, which England clinically punished.

Captain Nat Metcalf and Jade Clarke discovered Helen Housby and Eleanor Cardwell rapidly and England’s shooters missed only one try at aim through the opening quarter-hour.

With a 13-7 lead, England saved their line-up the identical for the second quarter, as did Uganda.

A few attacking errors from England handed Uganda the power to attain the short targets that they had been on the lookout for and draw it again to three-goal contest.

Stress from Layla Guscoth and Stacey Francis-Bayman led to a key turnover, although, which allowed England to degree up the quarter. Mentor added to their work shortly after to additional settle proceedings.

A tangle between Peace and Guscoth got here six minutes earlier than the break; the Ugandan captain landed awkwardly and, after making an attempt to proceed, needed to depart the courtroom.

Peace was changed by Mary Cholhok and Uganda’s route into the circle grew to become a shaky one till the half-time break.

England’s 10-goal half-time lead meant Uganda modified their ways for the third quarter by introducing Shadiah Nassanga within the circle with Irene Eyaru.

The shorter shooters gave Mentor and Guscoth a unique problem, with Cardwell and Jo Harten being deployed in England’s assault finish.

England took a few minutes to settle earlier than upping the ante and utilizing the set of quarter-hour to place the sport firmly out of Uganda’s attain.

Uganda began the ultimate quarter strongly and went goal-for-goal with England for a lot of it, nevertheless their self-discipline in the end allow them to down whereas the hosts remained composed and picked up.

Uganda now face Northern Eire after which Malawi of their closing Pool B matches, as England put together to tackle New Zealand on Thursday evening earlier than the weekend’s semi-finals.