Roses Reunited Series weekend preview: England vs. Jamaica
AFTER England claimed the all-important first game win over Jamaica, the Roses will be out to clean up the series in the final two games. This weekend sees the second and third games of the Roses Reunited Series, which take place on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
The first game of the series saw the Roses take a 10-goal win to defeat the Sunshine Girls, kicking away in the third term after trailing at hald-time.
Jamaican defenders Kadie-Ann Dehaney and Shamera Sterling were on top against English shooters Jo Harten and Helen Housby, and it was the Jamaicans who held a two goal lead heading into the main break.
Things changed in the second half, as Player of the Match Eleanor Cardwell came on late in the second quarter. She clicked well with Harten and wrestle the momentum back towards the English side. Cardwell shot at 90 per cent efficiency, as England recorded 30 goals to 19 in the second half to take the win.
Jamaica have their work cut out of them if they hope to win either of the remaining tests. Among other things, the first test showed how much depth England has, particularly in their shooters, and how Jamaica, despite having plenty of potential and exciting highlights, relies a lot on the shooting prowess of Jhaniele Fowler.
Looking at the shooters specifically, England already has two of the world’s best shooters in Harten and Housby. Then you throw in the likes of Cardwell, and there is a lot to tackle for the Jamaicans. English coach Jess Thirlby is certainly not short of options.
They also need to find a way to restrict England’s other best players. Alongside Cardwell, Eboni Usoro-Brown, Beth Cobden and Layla Guscoth all impressed in the opening test. Jamaica will need to find a way to minimise their effectiveness in order to get over the line in the remaining two tests.
They also need to find other options for if the influence of their best players gets quelled. If Jhaniele Fowler has a quiet game, the Sunshine Girls need to find another reliable avenue into goal.
>> ROSES BLOOM IN THIRD QUARTER TO WIN ROSES REUNITED FIRST TEST
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