A DRAW kicked off the Horizon Series between England and Jamaica thanks to clinical end-to-end transition from the Jamaicans.

A 49-49 result summed up the calibre of both of these sides with several big time players shining throughout. A formidable defensive end for the Sunshine Girls was up against an ever so growing shooting combination from the Roses.

This was the first time Jamaica have played together as an international team since the 2023 Netball World Cup final, whereas England have come off a three game series against Australia and a series win over New Zealand all within the last two months.

Jamaica was off and firing quickly scoring in the first 10 seconds, and forced England to cough up their first centre pass.

Imogen Allison started strongly with two gains in the first five minutes, helping England slowly push out their lead before Jamaica reduced the deficit. Once the Roses just crept out with a slight lead, the Sunshine Girls would come right back to cause an even first term.

Shanice Beckford was damaging on the baseline and at the top of the circle to either shoot from distance with accuracy or provide the ball into Romelda Aiken-George who was towering over the England defenders. Fran Williams was able to touch the ball plenty of times, but the ball would either get lost in the middle third or the height of Aiken-George would just grab the ball in the air.

England jumped out to a four-goal lead early in the second quarter. The hard and flat pass was working in the home side’s favour getting the ball into the shooting circle to counteract the pure athleticism of the Jamaican defenders.

The scoreline got out to as much as six midway through the second quarter as the pressure England was placing in defence rattled the Jamaican attack in the front half. Their defence then started to fall apart as Olivia Tchine’s movement spun her opponents heads while being able to to sink the goals.

Jamaica was only able to score seven goals in the second term, but responded exceptionally well to score 15 goals in the third.

Player of the match Latanya Wilson took it to a whole other level in the second half. Her determination and speed to the ball was breathtaking and made it difficult for the English midcourters to touch the ball at all.

Some confident passes into the Jamaican shooters didn’t give the England defenders enough time to set up thanks to some great vision by debutant Rhea Dixon. Dixon was injected earlier in the game and brought a lot more speed off the line and pace on the pass.

There were some interesting substitutions made by England which lost them the flow of the game and allowed Jamaica to creep back in to set up an all important last quarter. The momentum was with the away side to take the difference to three goals at the last break.

In the blink of an eye, it was all level and continued to go back and fourth for the last 15 minutes.

The confidence from both countries was high to just give the ball into thee shooters which worked wonders. Tchine was strong on the takes up against the ever so formidable Jamaican defence, and Aiken-George stood tall under the post to sink the goals under immense pressure.

A sneaky and gutsy around the body intercept by Shamera Sterling-Humphrey outside of the circle was exactly what Jamaica needed off an England centre pass within the last 45 seconds. The ball was sent down the other end with Beckford finishing the job off down the other end. Just seconds to go, Beckford sunk the equaliser after the siren no a penalty to send England to the bench speechless.

Player of the Match = Latanya Wilson (Jamaica)

STARTING 7:

England

GS: Liv Tchine
GA: Helen Housby
WA: Lois Pearson
C: Imogen Allison
WD: Beth Cobden
GD: Funmi Fadoju
GK: Fran Williams

Jamaica

GS: Romelda Aiken-George
GA: Shanice Beckford
WA: Khadijah Williams
C: Crystal Plummer
WD: Latanya Wilson
GD: Jodi-Ann Ward
GK: Shamera Sterling-Humphrey