Thursday 31 August 2017 00:53, UK
England produced a fantastic performance to overcome world No 2 ranked New Zealand in Auckland to win their second Quad Series match 49-45, live on Sky Sports.
The Roses secured only their fifth victory over the Silver Ferns in 88 meetings thanks to a fine final 15 minutes from Tracey Neville's side, who came into the encounter on the back of their battling defeat against Australia on Saturday.
In the day's other match, the Diamonds survived a scare to battle back from a third quarter deficit and seal a victory which leaves them in pole position to claim the Quad Series title at the weekend.
Australia face New Zealand while England bring the curtain down against South Africa and they head into their final match with spirits high after a rare victory against the nation currently ranked second in the world.
England enjoyed a positive opening with Helen Housby profiting from good combination play from Serena Guthrie and Kadeen Corbin in the circle.
Despite concerted pressure from the Roses, the New Zealand defence and in particular their skipper Katrina Grant held firm on several rebounds enabling their side to establish a four-goal lead by the end of the first quarter.
In particular, Housby impressed scoring three unanswered goals in the second quarter to bring England back to within one against the hosts.
Neville's side secured a lead when Corbin maintained her composure to make it 19-18 but their opponents responded by moving into a 26-23 lead by half-time, with their goal-scoring blitz continuing into the third quarter before Eboni Beckford-Chambers replaced England's captain Ama Agbeze at goal defence with England trailing 32-30.
In the final moments of quarter three, the Silver Ferns stole a lead when Bailey Mes scored from under the post to secure a slender one-goal lead heading into the final 15 minutes.
Despite an early onslaught from New Zealand which provided them with a three-goal lead at 40-37 the Roses didn't buckle under the pressure and retrieved the deficit thanks to some disruptive defensive efforts before transitioning well into attack.
England, who produced an impressive all-court game performance, finished in style thanks to three quick-fire goals from Corbin as their opponents failed to find a late response.
England Starting Seven - (GK) Geva Mentor; (GD) Ama Agbeze; (WD) Beth Cobden; (C) Jade Clarke; (WA) Chelsea Pitman; (GA) Helen Housby; (GS) Kadeen Corbin
Follow the action on Sky Sports Mix on Sunday when the tournament concludes with England v South Africa from 3am and New Zealand v Australia from 5am.
