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Semi-Final - England vs Australia

Sunday 20th July 2003

The listing was posted by England Netball

England took to the court with a new line up Astle, Teare, Murphy, Aspinal, Clarke, Newton, Mkoloma. Gunson's team made an impressive and exciting start with the entire Jamaican crowd cheering on the underdogs.

Australian starting 7 was Neele, McMahon, Chokljat, Sanders, Scholz, Harby-Williams, Ellis.

England took an early lead, 4-1, but again shooting chances were missed early on. The defensive combination played together for the first time this championship, it was strong and challenged the Aussie attack with a never ending series of questions. Both sides found it difficult to move the ball through the court and the Aussies unable to apply their usual speed and strength down the court. Australia ended the first quarter leading 12 - 7.

England made 2 changes in the second quarter Abby Teare going to GS and Tracey Neville going to GA. This combination provided coach Gunson with the first opportunity to show our preferred line up. The English team took time to settle into this format of two moving shooters and the half time score showed a 14 goal deficit with Australia 26 England 12.

Further changes to the line up saw Murphy and Aspinal changing positions. England made a spirited attempt with a run of 5 early goals exciting the noisy and vociferous crowd - Gunson said "The attack had become cohesive and used the space. The defence had high turn-over showing their athleticism and agility." The numerous turnovers made by the defence provided the strong English attack with more shooting opportunities and England won the third quarter 13 to 9. The score was then Australia 35 England 25.

The girls in green and gold had a changed format coming into the final quarter bringing on Cox as GS switching C Saunders to WA and a new C, Richardson. England continued to hold their own again winning this vital quarter 12 - 10 and achieving a creditable score line of an 8 goal difference 45 to 37 at the full time whistle.

Shooting Stats

1st Quarter: Astle 4/7  
                    Teare 3/5

2nd Quarter: Teare 3/5
                    Neville 2/5

3rd Quarter: Teare 6/10
                    Neville 7/8

4th Quarter: Teare 9/10
                    Neville 3/4

England Total Attempts: 37/54  - 63%

Australia Total Attempts: 45/61 - 74%

Quotes:

Lyn Gunson
 
"It was a slow scoring game in which defensive patterns of both sides were cohesive.  England lost their way in the second quarter and Australia took a commanding lead.  However, the team rallied and with some brilliant turnovers in defence by Geva Mentor, Amanda Newton and Sonia Mokloma aided by the through court defence who eliminated the Aussie's options, the team achieved something they have never done before against Australia and came back at them finishing within 7 by the end of the game, and we had chances to draw even closer.
 
For her first game against an Australian side, Jade Clarke gave an exceptional performance and paired well with Karen Aspinall.  Both had an amazing work rate throughout and Jade's composure under the pressure of a World Championship Semi Final was exceptional.  Amanda Newton was also inspirational in defence and England won the second half 25-19"