New Zealand edge out medal rivals Jamaica after pulsating clash as Grace Nweke leads scoring for Silver Ferns at 2026 Commonwealth Games

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New Zealand edged out Commonwealth Games medal rivals Jamaica by 53-48 in a pulsating clash. The Silver Ferns were looking for revenge after suffering defeat to the Sunshine Girls in the semi-finals in Birmingham four years ago. Grace Nweke led the New Zealand attack and scored over 40 points against her opponents. New Zealand are now favourites to top Pool B.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

In the game of the tournament so far there was little to separate the sides as goal shooters Grace Nweke and experienced Romelda Aiken-George got to work at either end.

New Zealand led by just two points after the first quarter and then looked in control as they approached half-time with a five-point lead.

However, the Sunshine Girls mustered a response as Aiken-George and Shanice Beckford reduced their advantage to 26-25 at half-time.

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Jamaica changed their defensive structure in a bid to stop the relentless scoring of Nweke but allowed Georgia Heffernan into the game.

The Silver Ferns increased their advantage to four points at the end of the fourth quarter as both sides remained largely unchanged in the close encounter.

Goalkeeper Kelly Jackson made some key interceptions as New Zealand took control of the final quarter to win by five points.

Nweke finished with 47 goals from 56 attempts, compared to the 34 points of Aiken-George.

New Zealand will now be favourites to top Pool B and avoid a potential semi-final clash with world No. 1 Australia.

Jamaica are back in action tomorrow at 19:00 UK time against Uganda, while New Zealand face Uganda on Tuesday at 19:00 UK time.

Result: New Zealand 53-48 Jamaica

The Silver Ferns finished with a flourish as they pulled away from their opponents in the final minutes. Heffernan went for a long shot which missed and allowed Jamaica to pull a point back.

However, Nweke has the final say with some more vital goals. Aiken-George did her best at the opposite end but her side were eventually beaten.

Key Jackson interception

Q4 - New Zealand 49-44 Jamaica

A key interception and turnover from Kelly Jackson and that allows New Zealand to increase their lead to five points with four minutes remaining.

Intensity lifting in last five minutes

Q4 - New Zealand 46-44 Jamaica

Nweke had two opportunities pull her side back out to five points but hit the rim on both occasions.

Jamaica went straight up the other end and scored. However, Beckford is then penalised for Jamaica to swing momentum back to New Zealand.

Nweke brings up 40th goal

Q4 - New Zealand 44-41 Jamaica

The Silver Ferns goal shooter has been key in their success to this point. Despite her efforts the Sunshine Girls could snatch this late on.

Ten minutes left on clock

Q4 - New Zealand 44-41 Jamaica

This game has been end-to-end from the first minute and with 10 minutes remaining there is nothing between them.

New Zealand have a three-point lead as Nweke is running the show.

Three points separate sides

Q4 - New Zealand 41-38 Jamaica

The Silver Ferns have made changes in their mid-court at the break but remain with the same forward pair. Jamaica are unchanged as this game remains finely balanced.

Nweke and Aiken-George exchange goals early in the quarter.

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Silver Ferns lead into final quarter

Q3- New Zealand 39-35 Jamaica

New Zealand had the chance to take a six-point lead into the break. However, they allow the ball to go loose and Aiken-George punishes them.

Tempo rises in close encounter

Q3- New Zealand 38-34 Jamaica

Both teams are throwing everything at their opponents late in this third quarter. There have been good interceptions from both sides.

Nweke scores two key points which increases the Silver Ferns’ lead.

Nweke continues to test defence

Q3- New Zealand 36-32 Jamaica

The Silver Ferns’ goal scorer has been impressive during this game and has caused the Jamaica defence all kinds of problems.

Jamaica have tried to shuffle their defensive line but can’t stop Nweke scoring.

Nweke penalised as Jamaica respond

Q3- New Zealand 33-30 Jamaica

A moment of indecision from Nweke results in a foul and Jamaica take full advantage to score.

Beckford pulls the Sunshine Girls back to within two points, before Nweke scores again.

Goal shooters show skill

Q3- New Zealand 31-28 Jamaica

Grace Nweke shows great skill to keep what looked a lost ball inside play and then scores. Straight at the opposite end Aiken-George scores a special goal of her own as the match remains closely balanced.

Heffernan lands early blow in third quarter

Q3- New Zealand 28-26 Jamaica

Positional changes at the break in the Jamaica defence as they look to stop the Silver Ferns attack.

Kate Heffernan lands an early blow to her opposition with an interception within the opening minutes and then her sister finishes the shot. Nweke follows with a point of her own.

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Sunshine Girls pull back to single point at half-time

Q2- New Zealand 26-25 Jamaica

Aiken-George scored some vital points late in the second quarter as Jamaica pulled back from five points down.

The Sunshine Girls were impressive during the final minutes as have given the Silver Ferns something to consider at half-time.

In the final minute Nweke and Beckford made no mistake at the opposite end.

Silver Ferns in ascendancy

Q2- New Zealand 24-19 Jamaica

The attacking pair of Heffernan and Nweke have been clinical in this second quarter as New Zealand have a five-point lead.

Meanwhile, the Sunshine Girls are becoming frustrated as the New Zealand defence start to make more interceptions.

Beckford remains shooting well

Q2- New Zealand 21-17 Jamaica

The Sunshine Girls’ goal attacker has scored six from seven as Jamaica remain in this close match. It’s blow by blow as Heffernan adds to her tally.

Burger makes flying interception

Q2- New Zealand 18-15 Jamaica

The Silver Ferns’ goal defender got the crowd on their feet with a flying interception to deny Beckford.

However, Nweke fails to capitalise and misses a goal.

Heffernan opens her account

Q2- New Zealand 17-13 Jamaica

Both coaches have remained with the same side into this second quarter.

Georgia Heffernan has been play-maker so far in this match. However, she opens her account with two goals in a slight change of tactic.

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Silver Ferns edge first quarter

Q1- New Zealand 14-12 Jamaica

As expected beforehand there is very little between these two sides. New Zealand lead by just two points and are slightly happier.

Game of goal shooters

Q1- New Zealand 13-11 Jamaica

Nweke has scored all of the Silver Ferns points as we enter the final minutes of this first quarter. Jamaica have been replying largely through Aiken-George, although she has received support from across the attack.

Sunshine Girls find response

Q1- New Zealand 11-9 Jamaica

Jamaica have grown in confidence during this opening quarter and Shanice Beckford pulls them level in the tie with an accurate long shot.

However, an interception by Karin Burger re-establish a three-point lead as Nweke continues to find the net.

Battles throughout the pitch early on

Q1- New Zealand 8-6 Jamaica

It’s a tight opening to this game with several interceptions at either end as the Silver Ferns still lead thanks to goal scorer Nweke.

She is having a great battle with Sunshine Girls’ goal keeper Shamera Sterling-Humphries.

Reuelu-Buchanan helps Silver Ferns into early lead

Q1- New Zealand 5-3 Jamaica

Grace Nweke gets the Silver Ferns off to the perfect start before Romelda Aiken-George quickly replies.

It’s an end-to-end start before an interception by Mila Reuelu-Buchanan helps Nweke to break their opponents.

Jamaica starting line-up:

Shamera Sterling-Humphries GK
Latanya Wilson WD
Jodi-Ann Ward GD
Nicole Dixon-Rochester C
Brie Grierson WA
Shanice Beckford GA
Romelda Aiken GS

New Zealand starting line-ups

Kelly Jackson GK
Karin Burger GD
Mila Reuelu-Buchanan WD
Kate Heffernan C
Maddy Gordon WA
Georgia Heffernan GA
Grace Nweke GS

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Sunshine Girls in dominant form against Trinidad

Jamaica also got their Commonwealth Games campaign off to a winning start with a 81-22 scoreline against Trinidad & Tobago.

Jhaniele Fowler was top scorer with 52 goals and Romelda Aiken-George contributed with 18.

Silver Ferns beat host nation in opener

New Zealand opened their Commonwealth Games campaign with a 74-44 victory against host nation Scotland.

Grace Nweke was in top form scoring 48 goals and was supported by 18 for Amelia Walmsley.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Commonwealth Games squad lists

Here are the two squad lists for the Commonwealth Games for both of these teams.

New Zealand (Silver Ferns): Karin Burger (Captain), Grace Nweke, Maddy Gordon, Kimiora Poi, Kate Heffernan, Georgia Heffernan, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Kelly Jackson, Catherine Hall, Parris Mason. Amelia Walmsley, Carys Stythe

Jamaica (Sunshine Girls): Jhaniele Fowler, Shamera Sterling, Romelda Aiken-George, Shanice Beckford, Khadijah Williams, Rebekah Robinson, Adean Thomas, Crystal Plummer, Abigail Sutherland, Nicole Dixon, Azara Wilmot, Romelda Aiken George.

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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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