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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Chloe Merrell at NEC Arena

England begin Commonwealth Games netball title defence with easy victory

England’s Geva Mentor shoots as Trinidad & Tobago's Afeisha Noel attempts to block.
Geva Mentor in action for England against Trinidad & Tobago during the Pool B netball match in Birmingham. Photograph: Tim Goode/PA

England shook off early jitters to get their Commonwealth Games title defence off to a winning start with a 74-22 victory over Trinidad and Tobago on Friday. A nervous start, marred by several shooting errors, were eventually brushed aside as the Roses found their rhythm in front of an approving home crowd.

Shooting at just 43% in the first quarter, Helen Housby, who scored the winning shot in 2018, looked off the beat as the post repeatedly denied her in the opening stages. Forced to turn to the slightly more reliable hands of goal shooter Jo Harten, the continuing flow of gains from the Roses’ defending end enabled England to lead 15-6 at the end of the quarter.

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