Wales produced a sensational final quarter performance to stun England in the Netball Europe tournament.
Going into the final 15 minutes England were leading 40-31, but the Welsh players worked their way back into the game and won the period 20-11 to force a 51-51 draw.
Shooter Chelsea Lewis was in supreme form, while Nic Jones led the way with highly effective defensive work.
It was a remarkable comeback by the team and Wales Netball tweeted: “Absolute scenes in Belfast as Wales bring it back from the brink to draw 51-all with the Roses!!
“Confusion at the end with time reset, but England miss their final shot and now gold is well up for grabs.”
"This is absolutely huge!" 🤯
An incredibly dramatic finish as @WelshNetball score late on to grab a draw against @EnglandNetball!
Catch-up with ALL the live action on our YouTube channel: https://t.co/uypISnDbvi#NEOpen pic.twitter.com/Tqj5Gg1xN4
— EUROPE NETBALL (@EuropeNetball) September 28, 2019
Netball Europe tweeted: “Wales were on fire in that last quarter!! What composure, what clinical finishing.”
With two minutes left in the match Wales were trailing 51-46, but still they fought and shocked England with the ferocity of their challenge.
Kyra Jones did well tracking the English attack and pounce for the intercept, while Wales were clinical at the other end. When a Roses shot rebounded, Wales converted a fantastic long range attack.
They started the third quarter superbly and did a brilliant job of stalling England’s drive plus grabbing a couple of turnovers.
Wales: Georgia Rowe, Chelsea Lewis, Beth Dyke, Kyra Jones, Nia Jones, Leila Thomas, Christina Shaw, Eleanor Roberts, Lydia Hitchings, Lucy Howells, Suzy Drane and Clare Jones.
England: Halimat Adio, Rebekah Airey, Iona Christian, Zara Everitt, Funmi Fadoju, Ally Housley, Berri Neil, Jasmin Odeogberin, Yasmin Parsons, Emilia Roscoe, Kira Rothwell, Sienna Rushton.
Quarter scores (Wales first): 7-14; 14-15 (21-29); 10-11 (31-40); 20-11 (51-51).
New Zealander Melissa Bessell, a former Celtic Dragons head coach, has taken charge of Vitality Netball Superleague club Severn Stars.
Bessell, nee Hyndman, will be leading Stars for the first time at the British Fast5 All-Stars Championships during October.
“I am hyper-excited to be taking on this role,” says Bessell. “I’ve been out of the League in a head coaching role for a few years now and the time was right. Working with a young, exciting franchise, while having the support of the University of Worcester and the University of Gloucestershire, was a no-brainer.
Severn Stars have signed Wales netball internationals Nia Jones and Bethan Dyke from Welsh team Celtic Dragons.
Stars have also re-signed the duo’s compatriot Georgia Rowe.
“Working alongside these three again is a dream for me,” says Bessell. “I know them all really well and what they are capable of.”