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Diamonds rocked by Poms in World Cup boilover as last-minute blunder cruels Aussies

England have etched their names into the World Cup record books after taking down Australia in a stunning upset on Thursday.

Fox Netball
3 min read
August 3, 2023 - 8:10PM
Tense final scenes as Australia suffers defeat

England has made history with a stunning World Cup win over Australia - their first ever in the international tournament.

The 56-55 victory came off the back of some Fran Williams brilliance - including the match-winning deflection in the dying seconds to ensure the Diamonds couldn’t secure a draw.

The result means Australia will likely have to meet Jamaica in the semi final stage if they wish to progress to the gold medal match.

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The Diamonds managed just 23 goals in the second half - compared to England’s 30 in a horror two quarters.

Questions will now be asked of why Sophie Garbin was not used against England, as one of two players for the Diamonds who didn’t see any court time on Thursday night.

The Roses fought back from an eight-goal deficit in the third term to claim the thrilling win.

Eleanor Cardwell finished the pick of the shooters with 34 goals at 97% while Helen Housby landed 22 goals without a miss.

Both sides traded early blows before it was England with the early advantage.

A Steph Wood miss again allowed the Roses to creep ahead as the England attacking duo of Housby and Cardwell found too much space.

A late Funmi Fadoju intercept at wing defence ensured it was England who took a 15-13 lead into the first change.

The defender of the tournament so far, Courtney Bruce headed to the bench with Sarah Klau injected at goal keeper in the only change for the Diamonds.

And the move paid off early as Klau had her hands on everything.

The Diamonds were able to work back into the contest before a long-range bomb from Cardwell brought the Roses within a goal.

Housby had to leave the court due to blood on her leg, but the new strapping did little to stop her run.

Bruce returned to the court 10 minutes into the second with her left knee strapped to come up directly against Cardwell in a huge match up.

Another big Klau intercept saw the Diamonds jump out to a four-goal lead - a huge turnaround from the first term, with Fadoju moved into the goal circle.

Some bad hands from Nat Metcalf gifted Australia more ball as the Diamonds headed into half time 32-26 leaders.

While the Diamonds remained unchanged into the third term, Fran Williams came onto goal defence for the Roses while Fadoju pushed back to GK.

But the defensive shift counted for little as the Diamonds continued to grow their lead.

Commentator Sue Gaudion called for the injection of Chelsea Pitman as Ash Brazill continued to dominate

“I feel like they need a strong target in their midcourt,” she said.

“They need a creative option,” Madison Browne added.

Fadoju thought she had the much-needed turnover for England, but the ball fell straight into Paige Hadley’s hands in a moment of fortune for Australia.

“They (Australia) are just going in too easy now,” Browne lamented of the Roses’ defence.

A big turnover and then a Steph Wood step allowed England to close within three goals late in the third term.

Gaudion’s wish was granted with just three minutes to go as Pitman was injected for England and Jamie-Lee Price for Australia in centre.

A big held ball call ensured England kept their foot to the throat as the Roses got to within one goal.

At the final change it was Australia with just the one-goal lead 45-44.

England took the lead for the first time since early in the second term when Cardwell converted, leaving the Diamonds in chase mode.

Kiera Austin came onto the curt for Wood, but it was Williams again who came up with the big play for the Roses.

“All of a sudden the Diamonds under pressure,” Gaudion said.

Weston returned to goal defence for the tight one-on-one against Housby, but it mattered little as Imogen Allison pulled in the intercept outside the circle.

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The margin stayed at three as neither side gave an inch.

When Jo Weston won back ball twice, she kept the Diamonds within striking distance with less than two minutes remaining.

But Fran Williams was the hero when England needed one, to get the much needed deflection as the Roses held on to possession for a one-goal win.

Originally published as Diamonds rocked by Poms in World Cup boilover as last-minute blunder cruels Aussies

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/netball/diamonds-rocked-by-poms-in-world-cup-boilover-as-lastminute-blunder-cruels-aussies/news-story/2257f064ff7f151bcfcc6bbf7dd496cf