England Leads Series with 55-47 Win Over Jamaica

England's Vitality Roses secured a 55-47 victory over Jamaica in the second match of the Horizon series, taking a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. The game, held in Manchester, saw the hosts pull away in the second half after a 24-24 tie at halftime, with key contributions from Helen Housby and player of the match Funmi Fadoju. This followed a dramatic 49-49 draw in the series opener, where Jamaica's Shanice Beckford scored a last-second goal. The remaining matches are scheduled in Kingston, Jamaica, on November 25 and 26. England's head coach Jess Thirlby made strategic changes that paid off, improving the Roses' game management and composure. Despite Jamaica's year-long hiatus from international play prior to the series, they showed resilience and skill, challenging England in both matches.