Sunshine Girls beaten by England

Liverpool, England:

Jamaica's quest to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the Vitality Netball World Cup took a major blow today after they were outclassed 56-48 by hosts and rivals England Roses in their Group G encounter here at the M&S Bank Arena.

The defeat has left the Sunshine Girls now needing to win their two remaining matches against Scotland and Uganda, and hope that South Africa, who beat them yesterday, lose their last two fixtures against Scotland and England, to stand a chance of advancing.

This could be the first time that Jamaica miss the semi-finals since 1995.

Jamaica started the match confidently as they matched the English girls stride for stride in the opening quarter.

However, a few unforced errors by midcourt players Khadijah Williams and Vangelee Williams resulted in England taking a 14-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Sunshine Girls stepped up the tempo of their game in the second quarter as they rallied to take a 23-22 lead with five minutes remaining, but like they did in the first, their defenders gave away the ball, allowing the Roses to take a 28-26 lead at half time.

The Sunshine Girls lost their way in the third quarter as England outscored them 16-10, for a 44-36 lead at the end of that period.

Head coach Marvette Anderson then brought on Romelda Aiken for goal attack Shanice Beckford in the fourth, but the Roses held their nerve for the win.