Watch the third match between Vitality Roses England and the Vitality Netball Superleague All Stars, live on Sky Sports Arena from 6.15pm. It will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports’ YouTube channel in the UK and Ireland.
With Emma Thurston
Last updated: 24/01/21 3:08 pm
2:14
Jess Thirlby thinks England’s Vitality Roses is in a good place, but she wants a clean sweep of benefits in the Vitality Netball Legends Series
Jess Thirlby thinks England’s Vitality Roses is in a good place, but she wants a clean sweep of benefits in the Vitality Netball Legends Series
Jess Thirlby says Vitality Roses England is in a good position but the head coach is urging her side to finish the job and get a clear view of wins over the Vitality Netball Superleague All Stars.
After a 67-44 win in the second game of the three-game series, the Roses won the Jean Hornsby Cup on Friday night and are now looking forward to last night’s final at Loughborough.
On Friday, Thirlby had persuaded her team to start stronger than they had done in the opening, especially in attack, and it was clear the Roses had listened to their head coach.
Natalie Haythornthwaite, who would be named player of the match after the full-time whistle, showed athleticism and driving at WA. While Laura Malcolm got the Start Center bib, with Helen Housby and Eleanor Cardwell working together to start in the firing circle.
Vitality Netball legend series on Sky Sports – Matches also appeared on YouTube in the UK and Ireland
| First test – Wednesday | England 70-54 All Stars | |
|---|---|---|
| Second test – Friday | England 67-44 All Stars | |
| The third test – Sunday | Space from 6.15pm | Sky Sports Center |
“I’m very happy overall,” Thirlby said after Friday ‘s game Sky Sports.
“One of the main things we wanted to fix from game one was out attacking play, it was just great that they started with the same line-up if I’m honest!
“We really wanted to deal with it as we started today and I thought we were a lot smarter with the ball today under attack.”
1:10 Nat Haythornthwaite says England wanted to make the mark in the second game against Vitality Netball Superleague All Stars
With the home Commonwealth Games taking place in just over a year, Thirlby knows that every game is valuable to the development of the Roses.
This Vitality Netball Legends Series was supposed to be played against Jamaica, however due to COVID-19 travel restrictions it was not possible.
Instead, the hard work and quick thinking of England Netball and the Vitality Netball Superleague clubs, meant that the Roses have had excellent competition anyway.
As a result, the head coach is able to continue building the depth of her squad at this crucial moment in their international circle.
Razia Quashie is one of the less experienced players who still thrives in the English dress (Credit – Ben Lumley)
“The lines and the combination we could prove [on Wednesday] they were very enjoyable, and some never seen before, “said Thirlby.
“I think Helen is [Housby] and Sophie [Drakeford-Lewis] he did well and that’s a weird burning circle, it was good to get that one out. “
We need to show game-by-game growth, and we need to be softer. Any team can physically match you, so this is about having an intelligent team that is experienced in playing against.
Jess Thirlby – head coach of Vitality Roses
Since winning the Commonwealth Games in Australia back in 2018, the Vitality Roses have made no secret of their desire to stay at the very top of the sport.
To defend their title on home ground in Birmingham, the England head coach realizes she needs a world-class daytime squad.
Thirlby still has more Australian-based roses to return to, but without their presence she has had the opportunity to develop the depth beneath, which is crucial for their chances of success in 2022 and beyond.
“I think we are getting closer [to a world-class 12], I’d like to throw that out to those who watch… if they can measure the seven of us, I think they’re a little closer than I am.
“The edges are tight, and the gaps are narrow,” she said. “I think that’s shown by the likes of Imogen Allison coming to court and Beth Cobden the other day, both doing the signal.
“We’re not there yet, and we shouldn’t be there yet, but I think what we see is a group that you look at on the bench and there are players who come forward and bring effect for sure. It ‘s a good place to be. “
Netball returns to Sky Sports with the Vitality Netball Legends series. Watch the final match on Sky Sports Arena on Sunday from 6.15pm and via our YouTube stream on the Sky Sports YouTube channel in the UK and Ireland.