Both sides were locked at 34-34 all after a pulsating encounter that saw the teams 10 apiece after the first quarter and separated by only a point at the midway point as New Zealand had their noses in front 20-19.

Kadeen and Sasha Corbin impressed for England with their constant running and hard work, and Joanne Harten was finishing off the attacks to which has Anna Mayes side well and truly rattling the Silver Ferns.

The third quarter was equally as tight ending 29-29 setting up a thrilling climax that ultimately saw the women in black prevail yet again much to the disappointment of a raucous crowd who cheered every England interception and New Zealand fumble.

New Zealand celebrate while England despair after a thrilling match in Glasgow ©Getty Images



"I have to recognise the efforts of [England goalkeeper] Geva [Mentor] in particular and they're an outstanding defensive unit," said New Zealand head coach Waimarama Taumaunus.

"The key moments were in the last two minutes and the fact Jodi [Brown] managed to draw out our attack play right to the last seconds so England had no opportunity to get a set pass and go again."

For England it is a fifth consecutive semi-final defeat at the Commonwealth Games after going down to New Zealand at Kuala Lumpur 1998 and losing to the Australians at the last three Games.

"I was extremely proud going into this game and I am overwhelmed," said Mayers.

"That's how proud I am of them.

"Gutted is probably the word I'm going to use continuously."

The other semi-final was a more straight forward affair as the Australians secured a relatively comfortable 57-42 win over Jamaica.

The Jamaicans appeared to be right in the reckoning at the midway point as they trailed by a single point 24-23.

The majority of the crowd were behind the Caribbean side who were responding by playing some quick counter attacking netball with Shanice Beckford and Sasher-Gaye Henry leading the charge.

But, into the second half and the Jamaicans visibly began to wilt, while the wily Aussies began dominating possession and making it count on the scoreboard and it was Caitlin Basett  who was the chief goal-getter while Natalie Medhurst and Madi Robinson were also to the fore.

Caitlin Bassett was the chief scoring weapon for the Australians as the reached a fifth successive Commonwealth Games final ©Getty Images



Australian captain Laura Geitz is relishing the opportunity to get another shot at their big rivals in tomorrow's final at the 11,000 capacity The Hydro but knows it will be another fierce encounter between the two.

"They are a champion team full of star players that rise to the occasion and that's what we want to come up against in a gold medal match," said Geitz.

"It's what you dream of as a little girl, to step out in the Commonwealth Games gold medal match against the Kiwis."

The winners will become the first to claim three Commonwealth Games gold medal while England and Jamaica will be seeking a fourth and second bronze medal respectively.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
July 2014: Clarke to captain England at Glasgow 2014 as netball squad announced
May 2014: Australia names netball squad for Glasgow 2014 as seek first gold medal for 12 years
April 2014: Australia names 18-strong netball squad for Glasgow 2014 selection camp
February 2014: Extra Glasgow 2014 netball tickets sell out in three hours
February 2014: Glasgow 2014 to release additional 4,000 tickets for netball finals