England quickly put the sting of their Commonwealth Games netball defeat to Australia behind them by delivering a dominant performance against Malawi in Glasgow. After a disappointing 66-47 loss to the Australians in their second group match on Sunday, the English side regrouped and produced a 73-38 victory over the African opponents, reasserting their status as one of the tournament’s strongest teams. The match got off to a blistering start for England, who imposed their rhythm from the first whistle. Their early intensity paid off, and by halftime they had built a comfortable 14‑point cushion, leading 37-23.
The half‑time lead reflected not only superior shooting accuracy but also a disciplined defensive structure that forced Malawi into a series of unforced errors. The third quarter saw England extend their dominance even further. By the end of the period they had added 18 more goals, with Sasha Glasgow continuing her impressive form and adding to Malawi’s mounting woes.
The Hydro arena was buzzing as the English players executed crisp passes, swift transitions, and relentless pressure on the opposition’s ball carriers. England’s campaign in the Commonwealth Games began with a statement win, an 84-35 demolition of Northern Ireland that set the tone for a high‑scoring tournament. That early momentum carried into the final quarter against Malawi, where London Pulse star Olivia Tchine capped the night with a personal tally of 24 goals. Her accuracy from both the shooting circle and the mid‑court made her a constant threat and helped seal the comprehensive victory.
"Getting back to where we are was important," said vice‑captain Amy Carter in the post‑match interview. "After yesterday's loss, we definitely turned things around today and fixed some of the things we got wrong." Carter’s comments highlighted the mental resilience the squad displayed, especially after the bruising encounter with the physically imposing Australian side. The English team also acknowledged the physicality of their opponents.
"Australia are obviously very physical, and so are Malawi, so it was good to match up to that and stand up to that challenge," Carter added. "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." Looking ahead, the Vitality Roses still have work to do. Their final group match pits them against South Africa on Thursday, a game that will likely determine whether they can progress to the semi‑finals and keep their medal aspirations alive. A win against the South Africans will be essential, as the competition for the top two spots in the group is tight. The squad’s defensive lineup featured Halimat Adio (28, London Pulse), Fran Williams (28, Reading, West Coast Fever), Funmi Fadoju (23, Redbridge, London Pulse) and Jayda Pechova (21, Fleet, Nottingham Forest).
These players combined height, agility, and tactical awareness to disrupt Malawi’s attacking flow and force turnovers that were quickly converted into points. In the mid‑court, England relied on the experience of Imo Allison (28, Huddersfield, Queensland Firebirds), Jess Shaw (30, Stockport, Loughborough Lightning), Amy Carter (27, Nottingham, AO Manchester Thunder) and Nat Metcalf (33, Keighley, AO Manchester Thunder).
Their ability to link defense and attack, maintain possession under pressure, and feed the shooters with clean ball was a key factor in sustaining England’s high scoring rate throughout the match. The attacking unit was led by Sasha Glasgow (27, Moonta, Australia, West Coast Fever), who continued her strong tournament form, alongside Liv Tchine (25, London Pulse), Eleanor Cardwell (31, Blackpool, AO Manchester Thunder) and Lois Pearson (26, Bury, AO Manchester Thunder). Their combined firepower accounted for the majority of England’s 73 points, with each player contributing a mix of accurate shooting, smart movement, and decisive passes.
Beyond the numbers, the victory against Malawi served as a confidence booster for the Vitality Roses. It demonstrated that the team could rebound quickly from a heavy defeat, adjust tactics, and re‑establish dominance on the court. The coaching staff praised the players’ ability to stay focused on the game plan, emphasizing defensive solidity and relentless attacking pressure. England’s senior netball team currently sits third in the World Netball rankings, a testament to their consistent performances on the international stage.
Their next challenge against South Africa will test whether they can maintain that high ranking and push for a podium finish at the Commonwealth Games. Fans can catch live netball action on Sky Sports, tune into the Off the Court podcast for behind‑the‑scenes insights, watch highlights and video clips online, or download the Sky Sports app for on‑the‑go updates. The tournament continues to deliver high‑octane netball, and England’s resurgence after the Australian loss adds an exciting narrative to the unfolding competition.