England Falls in Opening Test to New Zealand as Thirlby Calls for Accountability

England’s Vitality Roses faced a disheartening 61-58 loss to New Zealand’s Silver Ferns in the opening Test of their three-match series at London’s Copper Box Arena, marking a tough start for the home side. The match, played on the birthday of England’s head coach Jess Thirlby, saw the Roses put up a spirited defensive fight but ultimately fall short due to a series of unforced mistakes. New Zealand, who had played nine games in the past two months compared to England’s first match since February, capitalized on these lapses to secure the victory.

Despite the defeat, Thirlby acknowledged her team’s efforts, stating, “The numbers show we’ve improved in our centre pass to goal, and Helen Housby was exceptional at the post. But it wasn’t pretty at times.” She emphasized that small errors—such as an offside call during a critical centre pass or missed penalty shots—proved decisive in the tightly contested game.

“We need to smarten up and take responsibility for the sloppy things,” Thirlby added, reflecting on her side’s performance. “These are moments we can control, and they cost us tonight.” The Roses were plagued by turnovers, with both teams losing the ball 15 times. However, New Zealand’s ability to convert more opportunities into points, particularly through the towering Grace Nweke’s dominant display, proved crucial.

England’s debutant goalkeeper Jaz Brown struggled early, playing most of the match before being replaced by Razia Quashie in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Funmi Fadoju’s dynamic defensive play, including multiple interceptions against the taller Ferns, was a bright spot for the Roses. On the attack, the partnership between Helen Housby and Liv Tchine showcased resilience, with both players extending their shooting range as the game progressed.

New Zealand’s head coach Yvette McCausland-Durie praised her team’s efforts but highlighted areas for improvement. “We had chances to settle earlier, but England’s defense put pressure on our ball placement,” she said. “Grace was outstanding today, and our defense worked hard to disrupt their spacing. Now, we need to refine our finishing and organization in the centre pass phases.”

The series continues tomorrow with the second Test, set to take place at the same venue with a forward centre pass at 3 p.m. The final match will be held in Manchester on Wednesday, as both teams aim to turn their fortunes around in what promises to be a fiercely competitive series.