England v Northern Ireland netball recap – Olivia Tchine steers Vitality Roses to clear victory at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

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England opened their Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games netball campaign with a convincing 83-34 win against Northern Ireland in Pool A of the tournament. The Vitality Roses were beaten semi-finalists four years ago by Australia, and they will look for revenge in their meeting against The Diamonds on Sunday.

'Impressive performance' from dominant England in comfortable opening game win over Northern Ireland

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ranked No. 3 in the world, The Roses took control from the opening quarter and quickly racked up an unassailable advantage in a confidence-boosting 83-34 victory.

Goal shooter Olivia Tchine was flawless in the England attack and helped her side to a 41-18 lead at half-time.

Replacement Eleanor Cardwell continued the onslaught in the second half and The Roses finished just six points short of their single match competition record points tally.

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Home Nations opponents Northern Ireland provided a threat through the experienced goal shooter Lisa Bowman and then replacement Orlaith Rogers.

However, they came up against determined goalkeeper Jayda Pechova and then replacement Funmi Fadoju on her 50th cap, as The Roses' defence were just as clinical.

England were beaten semi-finalists by Australia four years ago in Birmingham and come up against The Diamonds in their second group match, on Sunday at 11:00 BST.

'Impressive performance' from dominant England in comfortable opening game win over Northern Ireland

Video credit: TNT Sports

Full time! England 83-34 Northern Ireland

The Roses get their tournament underway with a complete victory against Northern Ireland. They also came close to a record of 89 points scored during a Commonwealth Games match.

Pechova keeps score down

Q4 – England 82-34 Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland have come up against a determined Roses side and will score more against weaker sides.

Goalkeeper Pechova has been excellent in intercepting killer passes. However, replacement goal attacker Rogers has continued to chalk up points.

Happy Roses start with confidence

Q4 – England 77-32 Northern Ireland

The Roses have played without pressure and looked a formidable forced in this game. They will have tougher matches in this tournament but it’s a great start.

Goal shooters Cardwell and Tchine have been in clinical form with high shooting rates.

Northern Ireland keep chipping away

Q4 – England 71-30 Northern Ireland

It has been a tough afternoon for the Warriors who don’t have the stacked bench and funding of their opposition.

However, they have been determined in their efforts with Bowman and Rodgers challenging in attack.

Adio makes ‘beautiful’ interception

Q4 – England 67-27 Northern Ireland

England are in control at both ends of the pitch in this fourth quarter. In defence Halimat Adio makes a lovely interception to create a goal. Moments later Clark also makes a block to create anther point.

Cardwell has been clinically accurate in the goal shooter role.

How to watch the Commonwealth Games on TNT Sports and HBO Max

The Commonwealth Games is entering a new era with TNT Sports and HBO Max set to deliver a never-before-seen viewing experience, with every event from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games exclusively live across all HBO Max plans in the UK and Ireland

Watch and stream every event from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games exclusively live across TNT Sports and all HBO Max plans in the UK and Ireland.

Sharp shooting by Cardwell

Q3 – England 60-26 Northern Ireland

The 19 points scored in that third quarter by England. The Roses have been boosted by their new attack pairing and Cardwell finishes the quarter with a long-range effort.

Warriors grow in confidence

Q3 – England 58-26 Northern Ireland

On her 50th cap for the Roses Funmi Fadoju has looked a rock in the Roses defence since coming on against a determined Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland are growing in confidence and scored eight goals in the third quarter. Rogers has been quick to get on the scoresheet.

Cardwell brings up 50 points

Q3 – England 54-23 Northern Ireland

England will be looking to send a message to their rivals after Australia’s large score this morning. Cardwell has helped to keep the Roses momentum and the scoreboard ticking over.

Lightning fast Roses

Q3 – England 49-21 Northern Ireland

England have looked dialled in from the outset in this competition and have shown the strength within their squad.

Bowman has continued to test the England defence and is now joined in goal attack by Orlaith Rogers.

Cardwell and Clark join England attack

Q3 – England 46-19 Northern Ireland

Ella Clark has come on in goal attack and Eleanor Cardwell have both been introduced for England heading into the third quarter.

Funmi Fadoju and Hali Adio have also come on for England. Cardwell takes no time in getting her scoring tally underway for the Roses.

Watch England v Northern Ireland on TNT Sports and HBO Max

Watch and stream the second half as England are in a commanding lead against Northern Ireland in their opening pool match.

Watch and stream every event from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games exclusively live across TNT Sports and all HBO Max plans in the UK and Ireland.

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Shaw steers England to clear lead after Q2

Q2 – England 41-18 Northern Ireland

At the half-time whistle England have a 41-18 lead. Their captain Jessica Shaw has played a pivotal role at the heart of the Roses and linking up play.

Dominant England finish the second quarter with a flourish against Northern Ireland

Video credit: TNT Sports

Tchine stats

Q2 – England 38-18 Northern Ireland

Tchine is shooting at 93% and has scored 22 from 24 shots in the England attack. Magee has scored in response, but England continue to pull away.

Pearson finds killer balls

Q2 – England 35-13 Northern Ireland

Playing in wing attack Pearson has played her role in keeping England moving forward and picking out Tchine who has been excellent up front.

Pearson also moved into the GA role alongside Tchine.

After starting the second quarter slowly England are now racking up the points again.

Pechova rules in England defence

Q2 – England 30-12 Northern Ireland

Tchine was the best offensive rebounder in the Super League and has been key to this England performance.

Pechova in GK also plays her part by tipping away a good ball into the centre circle and turning the ball over.

Bowman takes aim

Q2 – England 25-12 Northern Ireland

England shuffled their team around after the first quarter and Bowman took advantage of the tactical changes to score four early goals through Bowman.

The Warriors will be aware that points difference could be crucial in qualification from the pool.

How to watch the Commonwealth Games on TNT Sports and HBO Max

Watch and stream every event from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games exclusively live across TNT Sports and all HBO Max plans in the UK and Ireland

Roses dominate first quarter

Q1 – England 24-7 Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland matched their opponents in the opening minutes. However, the experience of England came through, and their pressure was too much.

The England coaching staff are very happy with that first quarter.

England take commanding first quarter lead

Image credit: TNT Sports

Roses continue at high tempo

Q1 – England 22-7 Northern Ireland

After a close opening five minutes to this quarter England have found their opposition wanting. The Roses have kept a high intensity and found killer passes through to scorers Glasgow and Tchine.

Tchine pulls Roses 10-points clear

Q1 – England 17-6 Northern Ireland

There is competition in the Roses squad and today’s starters are showing why they should play against Australia tomorrow.

Tchine is ‘demanding the ball’ when it goes forward and is clocking up her tally for the tournament alongside Glasgow.

England pulling away

Q1 – England 11-5 Northern Ireland

It has been a pulsating start to this game with the home nations exchanging blows.

Glasgow and Tchine have been faultless in the Roses attack. England are starting to capitalise on small footwork errors and pulling away.

Q1 – England 4-3 Northern Ireland

Lisa Bowman hit the ring and then opening the scoring for Northern Ireland before Sasha Glasgow immediately pulled England level.

There have been two heavy clashes in either centre circle with the second resulting in Glasgow scoring. Moments later Olivia Tchine opens her scoring.

Bowman replies only for Tchine to net at the opposite end.

Q1 – We are underway

The clash between the home nations is set to be a fierce one.

Northern Ireland starting line-up

Michelle Magee – GK
Niamh Cooper – WD
Fionnuala Toner – GD
Caroline O’Hanlon – C
Emma Magee – GA
Frances Keenan – WA
Lisa Bowman - GS

England starting line-up

Jayda Pechova – GK
Fran Williams – GD
Imogen Allison – WD
Jessica Shaw – C
Lois Pearson – WA
Sasha Glasgow – GA
Olivia Tchine - GS

Australia win opener

Australia got their Pool A campaign off to a convincing 99-38 win against Tonga earlier today to sit top of the early pool

Scotland beaten in opener

Scotland opened their Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign with defeat, suffering a 74-44 loss to New Zealand, but will feel confident against lower-ranked opposition to come in their group.

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Squad line-ups

England (Vitality Roses): Nat Metcalf (Captain), Fran Williams, Eleanor Cardwell, Imogen Allison, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis, Halimat Adio, Alicia Scholes, Funmi Fadoju, Lois Pearson, Berri Neil, Liv Tchine, Jayda Pechova

Northern Ireland (Warriors): Michelle Magee (Captain), Caroline O’Hanlon, Niamh Cooper, Fionnuala Toner, Alex Martin, Mia Lanigan, Ana Mulholland, Rosa McCloskey, Lauren Walshe, Orlaith Rogers, Emma Magee, Olivia Lindsay

Good afternoon

Hello and welcome to LIVE updates of the opening Pool A group game for both England and Northern Ireland. With just two teams from the six-team pool booking a spot in the semi-final every match is important.

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