England quickly put their recent Commonwealth Games netball setback behind them, delivering a commanding performance against Malawi in Glasgow that underscored their resilience and depth. After suffering a 66-47 drubbing at the hands of Australia in their second group match on Sunday, the English side rallied to post a decisive 73-38 victory over the African opponents, showcasing both offensive firepower and defensive solidity. The match got off to a blistering start for the Vitality Roses. Within the opening minutes, England had already built a comfortable lead, and by the half‑time whistle they were ahead by 14 points, the scoreboard reading 37-23.
This early dominance was the product of crisp passing, swift transitions, and a relentless attacking mindset that left the Malawian defence scrambling. The third quarter saw England extend their lead even further, adding an additional 18 goals to their tally.
Sasha Glasgow, the dynamic shooter from the West Coast Fever, continued to torment the Malawian defence, adding to the pressure and widening the gap. Her accuracy from the shooting circle was complemented by the supporting play of the midcourt, which kept the ball moving quickly and prevented Malawi from establishing any rhythm.
England’s campaign in the tournament had begun on a high note with an 84-35 demolition of Northern Ireland, and they carried that momentum into the final quarter of the Malawi game. London Pulse’s star attacker Olivia Tchine was the standout performer, finishing the match with an impressive 24 goals. Her ability to find space, create shooting opportunities, and convert under pressure was a key factor in England’s overwhelming success. Vice‑captain Amy Carter reflected on the significance of the win, saying, “Getting back to where we are was important.
After yesterday's loss, we've definitely turned things around today and fixed some of the things we got wrong.” Her comments highlighted the team’s focus on learning from the defeat to Australia and applying those lessons immediately. The match also offered a chance to compare the physicality of the two opponents England faced. Carter noted, “Australia are obviously very physical, and so are Malawi, so it was good to match up to that and stand up to that challenge.” She praised the squad’s ability to adapt to different styles of play, emphasizing the importance of maintaining intensity throughout each quarter. “We definitely wanted to go out there and be ruthless today.
Sometimes it's hard when you start a quarter well to maintain that consistency and keep turning the screw, but I think we certainly did that,” she added. Looking ahead, the Vitality Roses still have work to do if they hope to keep their medal aspirations alive. Their final group fixture against South Africa on Thursday will be a must‑win if they are to secure a place in the semi‑finals. The outcome of that clash will determine whether England can continue their quest for a podium finish.
The team’s defensive unit featured a mix of experience and youth. Halimat Adio (28, London Pulse) and Fran Williams (28, West Coast Fever) anchored the back line, while Funmi Fadoju (23, London Pulse) and Jayda Pechova (21, Nottingham Forest) provided additional support.
In the midcourt, Imo Allison (28, Queensland Firebirds) and Jess Shaw (30, Loughborough Lightning) orchestrated play, with Amy Carter (27, Manchester Thunder) and Nat Metcalf (33, Manchester Thunder) linking defence and attack. The attacking contingent was led by Sasha Glasgow (27, West Coast Fever), who continued her prolific scoring form, alongside Liv Tchine (25, London Pulse), Eleanor Cardwell (31, Manchester Thunder) and Lois Pearson (26, Manchester Thunder).
Their combined experience across domestic leagues in the UK and abroad gave England a versatile and potent offensive arsenal. Beyond the match itself, the England netball program continues to benefit from increased visibility through Sky Sports’ coverage, including live broadcasts, highlight reels, and the Off the Court podcast, which offers deeper insight into player preparation and strategy.
Fans can stay up‑to‑date by downloading the Sky Sports app, ensuring they never miss a moment of the competition. The Vitality Roses, representing England Netball’s senior squad, currently sit third in the World Netball rankings.
Their performance in Glasgow, despite the earlier loss to Australia, demonstrates that they remain a formidable force on the international stage. With a crucial showdown against South Africa looming, the team will aim to translate the confidence gained from the Malawi victory into another strong showing, keeping their hopes of reaching the semi‑finals and ultimately contending for a medal very much alive.