Dream 100th cap for Eboni Usoro-Brown as Blue & Gold stars help England close in on Netball World Cup semi-finals
Eboni Usoro-Brown won her 100th cap and fellow Team Bath Netball co-captain Serena Guthrie was player of the match as England closed in on the Netball World Cup semi-finals with an emphatic victory over Jamaica.
The 56-48 success against the Sunshine Girls, ranked number two in the world at the start of the competition, means the Roses can secure their place in the final four with victory over Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday (3pm centre-pass).
Guthrie, who produced an inspirational performance at centre, said: “I can’t believe we just did that to a team like Jamaica, this is my proudest day since I took up the captaincy role.”
🌹 "I'm very proud of this team."
— Sky Sports Netball (@SkyNetball) July 15, 2019
Pride, passion and there's still more to come from @EnglandNetball according to their captain @SerenaBob. #RiseWithUs #NWC2019 pic.twitter.com/QnCknER0In
Both teams went into the match knowing that defeat would make it incredible difficult to qualify for the knockout stages and that was reflected during a cagey first half that England edged 28-26.
The Roses moved up a gear during a stunning third quarter, with Usoro-Brown and former Team Bath player Geva Mentor providing a solid defensive base from which Guthrie was able to drive her team forward.
They went on to win the quarter 16-10 and that proved decisive as the host nation saw out a notable victory in their toughest test of the tournament so far – the perfect way for Usoro-Brown to celebrate her 100th appearance for her country.
All I ever wanted to do was play for @englandnetball ❤️ I am so honoured to wear the Red Dress at a home World Cup 🙏 Thank you to my family and friends for their unwavering support, my team mates and to the fans, I appreciate and am humbled by it all! 100 and not out 😁🌹 xx pic.twitter.com/3sPImyI3nC
— Eboni Usoro-Brown (nee Beckford-Chambers) (@EboniBChambers) July 15, 2019
As well as the Trinidad & Tobago match, England also face an unbeaten South Africa side featuring former Team Bath players Karla Pretorius, Lenize Potgieter and Zanele Vimbela in their final group match on Thursday (8pm).
The semi-finals take place on Saturday and the final is on Sunday afternoon.
