England miss out on Commonwealth Games netball final as Jamaica stun Australia

England lost 61-54 against New Zealand in their semi-final and will now play Australia – who were beaten by Jamaica – for a bronze medal

England’s hopes of regaining the Commonwealth Games netball title came to an end after a 61-54 defeat to New Zealand that was far more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests.

The Roses, who famously won gold in the Gold Coast in 2018, now face the bronze medal match on Sunday morning having been thoroughly outplayed by New Zealand.

Anna Stembridge, England’s coach, said: “Credit to the Silver Ferns in terms of the way they came out. They really stifled our service into the shooters. We were a little bit loose with some of our placement and, again, they showed the type of range they have and how clinical they are when they gain possession.

“They’re ranked number two in the world for a reason. We’ll make sure we take what we need to from that game and prepare accordingly for whoever we face tomorrow.”

Stembridge added: “We fell short a little bit. Ultimately, we’ve got 10 players who have never played in a Commonwealth Games semi-final before. The experience they’ll have gained from that is going to be instrumental, both for tomorrow and building towards the World Cup.”

New Zealand will now face Jamaica – 46-45 winners against Australia in the other semi-final – as they attempt to win gold for the first time since 2010.

The Silver Ferns went into the semi-final without defender Catherine Hall, who ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in a knee against Wales. However, their influential goal attack Georgia Heffernan, who sustained an ankle injury against Wales, was able to play.

While she scored nine goals from 10 attempts and provided 15 goal assists, it was Grace Nweke who dominated the match. England had no answer to the 6ft 4in goal shooter, who finished with 52 goals from 57 attempts.

After a nervy start, New Zealand began to establish control as they went 16-11 up by the end of the first quarter. That lead was quickly extended to nine, with Nweke scoring 23 goals from 23 shots. But when Nweke missed for the first time just before the break, England had reduced the gap to 29-24 and could at least dream of emulating their comeback against South Africa in the pool stages.

The introduction of Eleanor Cardwell provided more muscle up front, but otherwise the changes made by Stembridge in the third quarter failed to pay off. New Zealand’s lead was nine at the end of the third quarter and was soon up to 12 early in the fourth quarter. A few late points reduced the deficit, but by then the result was no longer in doubt.

England’s captain, Fran Williams, said: “I don’t feel like we were anywhere near our best today, so it’s a real shame not to be able to put in that performance in a semi-final when it matters most. We’re devastated as a team, but we’re also really aware that we’re still competing for a medal.

“We’ll be ready to fight for one tomorrow and make sure we come away with that reward. It’s important that we don’t get too down about this game or get stuck in our own heads. We need to stay connected as a group and be ready for the battle.”

New Zealand will face Jamaica in the final after pulling off one of the biggest shocks in netball history by beating Australia, clinging on for a famous 46-45 win after the defending champions’ Sophie Dwyer missed a three-foot shot in the final second.

It is the first time Australia have failed to reach the final since netball was introduced to the Games in 1998.

In scenes reminiscent of England’s last-gasp gold medal win in 2018, the final buzzer sparked wild celebrations as Jamaica’s substitutes poured on to the court to engulf their teammates.

The result means Australia – who beat Jamaica in the final in Birmingham four years ago – will be England’s opponents in Sunday’s bronze medal match.