🔥 Check out this insightful post from BBC Sport 📖
📂 Category:
✅ Main takeaway:
“These are just moments when we need to be smart. Tomorrow is another day.
“We made it a little easier for them sometimes. We had a lot of hiccups in the ring.”
England took an early lead in front of a raucous crowd in their first match since February.
But New Zealand, who denied England a medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, fought back and took a 15-14 lead after the first quarter with a goal at the buzzer.
New Zealand extended its lead to 33-30 at halftime. Grace Nowicki, who scored the goals, proved unstoppable and was supported by sisters Kate and Georgia Heffernan, while England made unforced errors.
Thirlby made changes at halftime and her team was energized in the third as they got back to level 47-47.
Goalkeeper Jazz Brown impressed on her England debut with crucial steals.
However, the tourists showed their quality in the fourth quarter despite England shooter Eleanor Cardwell coming off the bench in her first appearance since suffering a career-threatening knee injury.
The second match will be held at the same venue on Sunday and the final match will be held at the AO Arena in Manchester on Wednesday.
England will play Jamaica in December.
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