THERE were plenty of impressive performers in Game One of the Roses Reunited Series, which saw England triumph by 10 goals at Copper Box Arena. Jess Thrilby‘s side knocked off Connie Francis‘ chargers, 55-45 after a 30-19 second half. Rookie Me Central takes a look at some of the Top Performers from the match.

Eleanor Cardwell (England)

How can anyone look past the Player of the Match when it comes to Top Performers? Coming on late in the second term, Eleanor Cardwell swung the momentum in her nation’s favour. Shooting at 90 per cent efficiency, the English shooter stood tall in the third term to really cause the Jamaican defence issues. Given the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) duo of Shamera Sterling and Kadie-Ann Dehaney were used to the styles of Roses starters Jo Harten and Helen Housby, Cardwell provided the spark the home team needed. Her ability to apply pressure on Dehaney and Sterling in the attacking goal circle to open up scoring opportunities for not only herself, but Harten, was the key to the game.

Eboni Usoro-Brown (England)

Not only was it sensational to see the talented defender return to the court, but to impact the way she did, was the cherry on the cake. With Jhaniele Fowler worrying the Roses’ defence, Eboni Usoro-Brown donned the red dress for the first time in more than two years. Her impact was profound, reducing Fowler’s impact, which coincided with Cardwell’s work up the other end. Not only did Usoro-Brown win the head-to-head with Fowler courtesy of her body positioning, footwork and long reach in this match, but gave the Jamaican powerhouse something to think about for the next two games and 2022. The recently-recruited Firebirds defender will likely get first crack at Fowler when the Queensland side faces West Coast Fever.

Beth Cobden (England)

A really underrated star whose long-term injury curtailed what could have been a coup for the Adelaide Thunderbirds, Beth Cobden made just three appearances in the pink dress. She returned to Loughborough Lightning where she immediately made waves, and her work through wing defence for the Roses was key in linking the defensive goal circle to the midcourt and attacking third. Cobden, like Usoro-Brown was able to get into the right positions and create intercept and deflection opportunities throughout the match.

Shamera Sterling (Jamaica)

The recently turned 26-year-old combined with Dehaney perfectly in the defensive circle up against the attacking duo of Harten and Housby. Cardwell threw a spanner in the works for the athletic Jamaican, forcing to work different angles and on an unfamiliar opponent. Nonetheless when the game was hot in the first half, Sterling was steadfast in her approach, and she is someone who can really turn a match with her intercepting and long reach close to the post.

Layla Guscoth (England)

A fourth England player makes the Top 5, but with good reason, as she as another key player throughout the match. Whilst Usoro-Brown was the defensive switch onto Fowler that the Roses needed, Guscoth was a consistent head in the defensive circle. Playing out of goal defence, she was always going to need to assist the goal keeper whilst providing some offensive drive in transition. Throughout the third quarter, Guscoth’s impact was profound, and along with her partner-in-crime Usoro-Brown and Cardwell up the other end, was a crucial cog in the Roses’ seven.

OTHERS:

It is hard to go past Fowler for the Sunshine Girls, really turning it on in the first half, and remaining a target throughout. The towering post shooter is always going to put up a high volume of shots, but Usoro-Brown got on top in the second half. Similarly, England’s midcourt of Serena Guthrie and Natalie Haythornthwaite started to find more space and deliver cleanly into the goal circle as the match went on, culminating in the 10-goal win.