Commonwealth Games 2026: England beat Northern Ireland to open netball triumph in Glasgow

England opened their Commonwealth Games netball campaign with an 83-34 win over Northern Ireland in Pool A.

Northern Ireland managed to slow down England’s scoring before the 2018 champions raced to a 24-7 lead.

However, the Warriors could not overcome the gulf as third-ranked England took the opportunity to rotate their squad in the second half.

Experienced shooter Eleanor Cardwell came on after half-time to score 35 of her 37 shots, more than any Northern Ireland team in England’s class combined.

The Roses will be looking to reclaim the title they won on the Gold Coast after failing to make the podium four years on in Birmingham, but have experienced a rocky build-up to the competition.

Only two of Roses’ 12-man squad have Commonwealth Games experience – Cardwell and Imogen Allison – following injuries to gold medalist Helen Housby and Natalie Metcalfe, who Withdrawal with a calf injury monday

The head coach of the team is Jess Thirlby Resigned from the role In March, due to family reasons, assistant Anna Stembridge stepped down to take over on an interim basis for a second spell as head coach from 2011-2015.

England next play defending champions Australia, who won 99-38 against Tonga, on Sunday at 11:00 BST.

Hosts Scotland fall A 74-44 Pool B loss By 2022 the bronze medalist New Zealand in the opening match of the competition.

The next match for the Scots is against Wales, who were beaten 59-50 by Uganda after a costly third quarter.

The Welsh led 31-28 at half-time before losing 17-8 at half-time, with Uganda holding on for victory.