England had to settle for a tie in their opening Horizon series match against Jamaica in Manchester after a dramatic last-second goal denied them victory.

Sunshine Girls shooter Shanice Beckford scored in the final second to clinch a 49-49 draw after England had led for three quarters.

The Roses had stretched a six-goal lead at half-time, but the visitors rallied in the final period to capitalise on mistakes from their hosts.

"It was an up and down game and there's some errors we're not pleased with," said head coach Jess Thirlby.

"We were patchy. I imagine both teams will be ruing some of the opportunities missed, so on balance is it a fair result? Probably.

"Yes, we could've won the game but we could've easily lost the game. We have to be proud of finding a way to not lose because we know the game was up and down."Read more here

Image source, Getty Images

England and Jamaica get the new Horizon Series under way with two matches in Manchester on 16 and 17 November, both live on the BBC.

The return matches this year will take place in the Jamaican capital Kingston on 25 and 26 November.

England are ranked second in the world and come into the competition after winning the Taini Jamison Trophy in New Zealand in October.

Jamaica are fourth in the world but have not played since November 2023, when they finished fifth in the Fast5 World Series.

The Horizon Series will take place over four years between the two sides, with two matches in England and two in Jamaica each year.

England vs Jamaica head-to-head

The last time England played Jamaica was in the 2023 Fast5 World Series, when England won 33-27 and went on to secure bronze in the competition.

Since 2022, the two nations have met eight times, with England winning six of those encounters. Jamaica's last win came in January 2023 in the International Series.

BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

England goal-defence Funmi Fadoju excelled as the Roses won the Taini Jamison Trophy. She also managed the most interceptions, gains and deflections in the Netball Super League for London Pulse and will be a key part in coach Jess Thirlby's plans to stop Jamaica's attack.

Roses goal-attack Lois Pearson had an excellent season for Manchester Thunder, earning her Player’s Player of the Season in the Netball Super League, and has featured in all six of England's matches in her debut season with the Roses.

For the opponents, defender and vice-captain Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, who helped the Adelaide Thunderbirds retain the Suncorp Super Netball League title and finished top of the rankings for defensive rebounds, deflections and interceptions, will be one to watch for Jamaica.

BBC iPlayer

The Roses will play Jamaica in the new Vitality Netball Horizon Series on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November in Manchester, with the return matches in the Jamaican capital Kingston on 25 and 26 November 2024.You catch live coverage of their matches across BBC TV, Red Button and the BBC Sport website and app.

Game 1 - England 49-49 Jamaica

Game 2 - Sunday, 17 November - Manchester, UK

14:00-16:00 GMT - Watch on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app

Game 3 - Saturday, 23 November - Kingston, Jamaica

Exact times TBC - Watch on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app

Game 4 - Sunday, 24 November - Kingston, Jamaica

Exact times TBC - Watch on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app

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