ROSE GOLD
England netball team win Commonwealth Games gold beating hosts Australia in historic match
An extraordinary performance saw the Roses crowned champions with a 52-51 win over the host nation
ENGLAND'S netball team scooped gold at the Commonwealth Games - beating host nation Australia in a historic match for the sport.
An extraordinary performance saw the Roses crowned champions as Helen Housby scored in the final second to give England a 52-51 victory.
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The dramatic clinch stunned the home crowd - who were overwhelming favourites - as well as England fans, many of which got up in the early hours of Sunday to watch the match.
Coach Tracey Neville told: "It's my dream come true, we have worked so hard over the last international phase, we've been put in here against the world number one's and we've not beaten them once in the whole cycle that I've been in. I'm just so really, really proud.
"I think, for us, we've just been trying to get consistent and to consistently beat these teams.
"We've been showing charisma during the international calendar but this feeling is just amazing."
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She was supported by big brother Gary Neville, who tweeted: "Yeeesssssssssssssss!!! The most amazing thing I’ve ever seen @traceynev @EnglandNetball !!!!"
And England fans were there to show support on Twitter with many stunned by the historic win.
Karen Greig wrote: ";YES I am having a vodka at 545am!!!!! HISTORY MADE @traceynev ... super proud of you!!"
Sharon said: "@traceynev, #GC2018Netball, what a game what an inspiration showing us all why you should never give up. Amazing."
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Jess Long tweeted: "I can't stop crying. This is the moment of the games and a game changing moment for netball."
Jo Harten's last-gasp goal in Saturday's defeat of Jamaica sent the Roses into a first global final since 1975, after last-four appearances at all previous five Commonwealth Games.
That final 43 years ago ended in defeat to Australia, but the Roses were determined not to settle for silver and delivered the gold.
Three Commonwealth bronze medals were England's best performance until now, while Australia have won three times and been runners-up to trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand twice.
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The England squad - featuring five players plying their trade in Suncorp Super Netball - refused to be cowed by their more vaunted opponents, opening up a three-point lead at one stage in the first quarter.
Harten and Housby were unerring in shooting at goal, but Australia wrested back the initiative to take a one-point lead at the interval.
The fierce intensity continued in the second quarter as the teams exchanged blows, with England edging the scoring to level at 25-25 at half-time.
Laura Geitz and Harten battled for territory and the English goal shooter kept finding the net as England twice opened up a three-point lead, only to see it swiftly vanish each time.
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Steph Wood scored with the final throw of the third quarter to give Australia a 38-36 lead and the hosts extended that to four goals early in the fourth quarter.
And the hosts rotated their attacking options and squeezed England, prompting Neville to switch her side around.
It had the desired effect as England cut the deficit, but still they were playing catch up.
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Harten and Housby scored in quick succession to put England ahead for the first time in the fourth quarter with little more than four minutes remaining.
Goals were exchanged before England claimed a vital rebound late on and it looked like it was heading for an extra period when Harten missed.
But Housby claimed the rebound and drained the shot at the second attempt - after a foul - to spark scenes of ecstasy.
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England, Australia and Canada all get Gold medals on day 8 of the Commonwealth Games
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