ENGLAND has defeated New Zealand again, winning the second test 59 goals to 55 to take the 2024 Taini Jamison Trophy.

New Zealand was the better side in the first half, but after a massive third term the Roses took back control and ultimately held on for the win.

New Zealand was the side to get out to the early lead after capitalising on an error from the Ferns and some strong vision from the Ferns’ midcourters. However, it was not long before the Roses capitalised on a Ferns’ error and were able to equalise again.

Both sides were able to generate plenty of turnovers but it was not happening in their mid-courts, it was all happening in their respective defensive ends.

A couple of times during the quarter New Zealand would move ahead but then England fought its way back to equalise, but a late burst from the Silver Ferns saw them take a three goal lead into the first break.

Player of the quarter in the first term was certainly either Kelly Jackson, who picked up three gains in a dominant defensive display, or Maddy Gordon, who racked up 10 feeds in the first quarter alone in a really impressive display in mid court.

Perhaps because of Jackson’s dominance England was quick to make a change at quarter time, bringing on experienced head Helen Housby.

The difference was noticeable straight away as Housby was able to match up to the body on body strength of the Ferns much better than Berri Neil had been.

New Zealand kept its narrow lead for much of the beginning of the second term, but like much of the match so far and the series as a whole, there was a sense that one small mistake could flip that on its head.

The Silver Ferns grew in confidence as the quarter progressed, but some late quarter substitutions started to change the game a bit.

New Zealand decided to sub Gordon, and this saw its attack end become less smooth and fluid and the mistakes started to rack up.

England did not quite equalise back up or take the lead before half time, but the Roses did go into the main break only one goal behind and things were starting to build for the visitors.

The third quarter though was where things really flipped in the Roses’ favour though.

They were able to stretch multiple goals in a row together on multiple occasions – once even shooting five goals in a row at once stage – whereas the Ferns’ only strung multiple goals together once. The Roses also converted all their turnovers into goals in the term, whereas the Ferns only did so half the time, and the Roses had a 14 per cent better centre pass to goal rate.

This meant the Roses took a five goal lead into the final term, and although the Ferns won the final quarter it was only by a goal, handing the Roses the win.

Lois Pearson (47 feeds, 24 assists) had a massive game for the Roses, further proving she belongs at this level. Imogen Allison (21 feeds, 11 assists, two gains) also had a solid game.

Meanwhile for the Ferns Jackson ended with a whopping seven gains, while Parris Mason (seven deflections, three gains, two rebounds) also had an impressive game in her first start in a Silver Ferns’ dress.

NEW ZEALAND             16 | 12 | 12 | 15 (55)
ENGLAND                      13 | 14 | 18 | 14 (59)

STARTING SEVENS

New Zealand:

GS: Grace Nweke
GA: Ameliaranne Ekenasio
WA: Whitney Souness
C: Maddy Gordon
WD: Kate Heffernan
GD: Parris Mason
GK: Kelly Jackson

England:

GS: Olivia Tchine
GA: Berri Neil
WA: Lois Pearson
C: Amy Carter
WD: Imogen Alison
GD: Funmi Fadoju
GK: Fran Williams