The Netball Quad Series returned to our TV screens over the weekend and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
London saw host to the first set of Quad Series matches, in a packed out Copperbox. South Africa and World Champions Australia would open proceedings in a closely contested encounter.
South Africa 50 – 54 Australia
South Africa put in their best performance against the World Champions, Australia in the opening game of the Quad Series. The Proteas were leading at half time by a one goal margin after a comeback in the second quarter after the Diamonds took the first quarter 15-12.
Shooters Caitlin Bassett and Susan Pettitt were brought on in the second half for the Diamonds and they began to reclaim control. They took a slender two goal advantage into the final quarter.
It was in the final quarter where the World Champs increased the gears, keeping the Proteas at an arms length away of the score line. However, South Africa did keep up the pace, responding to the Diamonds flurry of goals but the deficit did prove to be too much for the Proteas.
A close contested and entertaining contest got the Quad Series up and running.
Shooting Stats
Australia: Caitlin Thwaites 22/23 (96%), Gretel Tippett 8/9 (89%), Caitlin Bassett 13/14 (93%), Susan Pettitt 11/11 (100%).
South Africa: Lenize Potgieter 34/38 (89%), Maryka Holtzhausen 16/18 (89%).
Player of the Match – Bongiwe Msomi (South Africa)
England 64 – 57 New Zealand (After Extra Time)
The final game of the day saw the England Roses take on the Silver Ferns in front of a home crowd, a game that will not be forgotten anytime soon.
England were the only side to beat defending champions New Zealand in the last Quad Series back in August/September last year. In a game that could’ve gone either way, it was the Roses who picked up another win against the Silver Ferns.
The first quarter began with both sides trading goals, equaling each other in the final third. Mid way through the quarter it was New Zealand who took the upper hand. They took a four point lead into the second quarter.
The Roses came back in the second quarter and took control of the lead. Impressive shooting by Helen Housby helped the Roses into a 29-28 lead at half time.
Once again the lead changed hands in the third quarter, this time by quite a clearer margin. The Silver Ferns were very clinical in the goal circle with Bailey Mes and Maria Folau impressing. They opened up at six goal advantage going into the final quarter.
A packed home crowd went into overdrive as the Roses cut the goal deficit in the final quarter. The Roses missed a shot for the match in the dying moments. After 60 minutes of netball nothing separated the sides and a 49-49 scoreline meant the game was going into extra time.
In extra time, The Roses found another gear and raced ahead. New Zealand couldn’t respond to the pace England set and trailed behind. It finished 64-57 after the extra time period, with England taking the win in a netball classic.
| January 20th (3pm), Copperbox Arena, London |  | 50 | 54 |  |
| January 20th (6pm), Copperbox Arena, London |  | 64 (AET) | 57 |  |
| January 22nd (7:45pm), Copperbox Arena, London | | 46 | 50 | |
| January 22nd (7:00pm), Ellispark Arena Arena, Johannesburg | | 46 | 51 | |
| January 28th (12pm), Ellispark Arena Arena, Johannesburg | | 67 | 48 | |
| January 28th (2:30pm), Ellispark Arena Arena, Johannesburg | | 47 | 52 | |
*all local times
Next up, England welcome World Champions to the Copperbox while the Silver Ferns travel to Johannesburg where they will face South Africa.
Photo Credit – England Netball
