England fell to a 55-49 defeat in the deciding game of their three-Test Vitality International series against New Zealand in Manchester.
The Roses beat New Zealand in a thrilling encounter on Sunday to level the series after the Silver Ferns had won the opening match on Saturday.
However, England made persistent errors in front of a home crowd at the AO Arena on Wednesday and struggled to keep their opposition at bay.
England managed to grab a 14-11 lead in the first quarter but mistakes began creeping into their game in the second, allowing New Zealand to take charge.
Leading into half-time, the Silver Ferns took a two-goal lead as their persistence and hard work paid off.
However, England managed to wrestle back the momentum in their favour with Funmi Fadoju and Helen Housby turning the dial, but it wasn’t enough as New Zealand snatched a 42-38 lead heading into the final period.
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Highlights from the second Test as England hit back to level the series
Head coach Jess Thirlby made changes in England’s attack but it was to no avail as New Zealand continued to outclass them.
England come up against Jamaica in December, with two games being played in Kingston and the other two in London.
New Zealand’s Kelly Jackson, the player of the match, said: “It was an awesome game. We were really disappointed with that loss the other day, and it’s been a big three months for us and we really wanted to finish on a high.
“We’ve got a big break now. We deserve it. We don’t come together [again] until January.”
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Highlights from the first Test as New Zealand made a winning start
Thirlby said: “I just found there was so much more for us to give and wanted them to take the shackles off. It’s really disappointing because we gave them the ball today.
“It feels really flat and against a team of this calibre, finding the ball is difficult and our pressure on the court has been good overall but New Zealand pegged us back today. We couldn’t adjust to that.
“If you don’t get the scoreboard pressure on them, it’s an uphill battle from there. It’s told us a lot about ourselves.”
Vitality Netball International Series schedule vs New Zealand
Saturday November 15: Copper Box Arena, London
England 58-61 New Zealand
Sunday November 16: Copper Box Arena, London
England 61-58 New Zealand
Wednesday November 19: – AO Arena, Manchester
England 55-49 New Zealand
Vitality Netball Horizon Series schedule in Jamaica
Saturday December 6: National Indoor Sports Centre, Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaica vs England, TBC
Sunday December 7: National Indoor Sports Centre, Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaica vs England, TBC
Saturday December 13: Copper Box Arena, London
England vs Jamaica, 2.15pm
Sunday December 14: Copper Box Arena, London
England vs Jamaica, 2pm
Times subject to slight change due to broadcast requirements
