“This is probably my proudest moment,” said captain Serena Guthrie after England came from behind in their third game of the Quad Series by beating world No. 1 Australia 48-48 before beating again in Wednesday’s final she started. “We showed them who we are,” she added.
With both already guaranteeing a chance at the title thanks to victories over New Zealand and South Africa, this game was touted as a dress rehearsal before the title decider: ultimately meaningless but an important test of character.
It took two minutes and 32 seconds before the first goal of the game was scored. As the ball sped across the pitch, every inch was fought for as the teams, who had not met in two years, measured each other’s will.
In the first quarter, thanks to the impressive efforts of Diamonds goalkeeper Sarah Klau, Australia took the lead and forced England’s hand.
It looked a decidedly different side with Eleanor Cardwell switching to goal attack and the position changes initially sparked glee from the Roses, who stubbornly closed the five-goal deficit that hovered above them. But a relentless and hungry Australia quickly adjusted, pushing the score back to 19-23 at half-time.
The substitutions continued throughout the game, showing that a second, poker-like game was also taking place. England head coach Jess Thirlby and her opponent Stacey Marinkovich seemed to make the best of the game without consequences.
Up, down, level, reset – whichever players took the field, they never let up the competition. In a pile-up in the fourth quarter, Beth Cobden emerged victorious and the England bench roared. It might not have mattered to anyone, but it did matter to the players.
“To believe that anything is possible, you need evidence,” Thirlby said. “I think we’re starting to build up a really nice body of evidence that we’re not being beaten by any team and that we have a seat at the table.”
Clutch shooter Helen Housby saw the opportunity and kicked into gear, and England came to life. Up until the final whistle it was almost poetic that everything and nothing was certain before the final.
Every England Rose is ready, but which seven will start? Can England cross the finish line second time around and claim a first quad series title? Everything is revealed.
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