England Kick-Off Vitality Netball Nations Cup 2025 with Convincing Win over Malawi
The Vitality Netball Nations Cup 2025 got underway on Saturday, with England making a dominant start to their campaign by defeating Malawi 62-36 in their opening match.
Hosted at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, the tournament brings together some of the world’s top netball teams, including England, Malawi, Jamaica, South Africa, and New Zealand. The competition promises to be fiercely contested, with each team eager to claim the coveted title.
England, who finished as runners-up in the 2023 Netball World Cup, began their campaign in style, taking control of the match from the outset. Led by captain Jade Clarke, the Roses dominated possession and created scoring opportunities with ease.
Malawi, who are ranked 14th in the world, struggled to contain England’s attacking threat, with shooter Jo Harten and goal attack Helen Housby combining for 34 goals. Harten, in particular, was in fine form, converting 21 of her 24 attempts from the circle.
Despite their best efforts, Malawi were unable to mount a significant challenge, with England’s defense restricting their scoring opportunities to just 12 goals. Goal shooter Mwai Kumwenda was the only Malawian player to reach double figures, scoring 10 goals.
The victory gives England a crucial early boost in the tournament, with their next match against South Africa scheduled for Monday. The Proteas will be looking to bounce back from their opening-day defeat to Jamaica, who secured a 57-44 win over the Africans.
In the other matches played on Saturday, New Zealand secured a comfortable 64-34 victory over Jamaica, while South Africa suffered a 57-44 defeat to Jamaica.
The Vitality Netball Nations Cup 2025 continues on Sunday, with Malawi facing New Zealand in a must-win encounter. The tournament will conclude on Wednesday, with the final match scheduled to take place at the M&S Bank Arena.
With England’s dominant display in their opening match, they will be looking to maintain their momentum and claim the title. However, with the quality of teams on display, nothing can be taken for granted in this highly competitive tournament.
