The Vitality Roses claimed the Taini Jamison Trophy with a stunning 59-55 win over New Zealand to take a 2-0 lead in the three-Test series.
Jess Thirlby’s side won the Taini Jamison Trophy for the first time since 2021 following a monumental win in Porirua on Wednesday.
Both teams got off to a fast start, but it was the home team that took an early lead of 16-13 at the end of the first quarter.
Helen Housby’s accurate long-range effort helped tie the Vitality Roses as the Silver Ferns took a 28-27 lead at the break.
Imo Allison and Housby linked up beautifully and goal striker Lois Pearson added to New Zealand’s misery in a devastating third quarter as the Vitality Roses took a 45-40 lead.
The visitors maintained their lead in the final quarter, with Liv Tchine scoring a brilliant success with 41 goals from 46 attempts.
“We were on New Zealand soil, we won the series in the first two games and we worked incredibly hard for that,” Thirlby said. “This makes it even more satisfying. I couldn’t be more proud of the way the girls found a way to get back in the game.
“We knew how the Silver Ferns would come out. Everyone said they would have done their homework, we did too, and what we have done with this team is an incredible achievement. We have brought in a team here with more experience than before. “It was really impressive and meaningful because I couldn’t find my way.”
The Vitality Roses took a 1-0 lead after a narrow one-goal win in the series opener on Sunday, before England held on in the final quarter to secure a resounding 59-58 victory.
The tight success follows England’s victory over New Zealand by the same margin in the Vitality Netball Nations Cup earlier this year and a tight series between the two countries in 2023.
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Vitality Roses fixtures and results (all live on Sky Sports)
September 19th – Australia 70-57 UK – Report | Highlights | repeat all
September 22nd – Australia 59-61 England – Report | Highlights | repeat all
September 25th – Australia 69-56 UK – report | highlights | repeat all
September 29th – New Zealand 58-59 England – Report | Highlights | repeat all
October 2nd – New Zealand 55-59 England – repeat all
October 6th – New Zealand v England, Third Test, Invercargill – Live from 7.35am
Watch the Vitality Roses tour of Australia and New Zealand live on Sky Sports. The next match will be broadcast live and free on Sky Sports Mix and the Sky Sports YouTube channel from 7.30am on Sunday. Stream netball and more sports with NOW.
