England are into the semi-finals of the Netball World Cup after beating South Africa 62-46 in their final Pool F qualifying match.
In what was effectively a straight shootout for a place in the final four of the tournament, Tracey Neville’s side started well in Sydney and led by 10 goals at half-time. South Africa came back strong after the break but England held out to make it two wins out of three from their second round of qualifying matches.
Neville kept faith in the same team that beat Wales earlier in the week and it instantly looked a wise decision as England took control of the contest. Jo Harten was finding her range, pulling off an exquisite attempt for the opening goal of the match.
South Africa came back with four goals in a row before England quickly regained their composure and responded with six unanswered goals of their own. At the end of the first quarter, they led 16-8.
The lead was 32-21 at half-time, when Neville brought on Sara Bayman, Geva Mentor and Stacey Francis. Three goals in quick succession followed shortly after as moved England further clear.
With five minutes of the match to go and South Africa desperately pushing to get back in the contest, England capitalised. Bayman was spotting the wonderful movement in the shooting circle and Serena Guthrie was producing her usual, spectacular array of intercepts.
It was left to Harten to seal England’s passage into Saturday’s semi-finals, where they are likely to face the four-times winners New Zealand.
