Vitality Netball Nations Cup: Hard-battling She Cranes slip against England

Despite a spirited show, Uganda couldn't hold off England in their first game of the Vitality Netball Nations on Saturday.

The She Cranes lost 62-56 at the hands of the Vitality Roses at a fully packed Wembley OVO Arena on an evening of scintillating netball action.

Fred Mugerwa's charges were hard-done by the final quarter which, they lost 16-11, having trailed by just one goal after the third quarter.

It's in the third quarter where the She Cranes showed their absolute might, taking it 15-12, and closing the gap to 46-45.

The She Cranes had kept within touching distance in the first quarter, which England took 18-15.

The second was even closer as England won it 16-15, to make it 34-30 at halftime.

While it was a defeat for Uganda, they will feel significant signs of progress as they competed decently against the world's third-ranked nation.

It should be noted that Uganda ranks seventh globally, four places adrift of the Roses.

Meanwhile, the She Cranes will take on second-placed New Zealand and world number one Australia in the final Netball Nations Cup matches.

In the first game of the tournament, Australia managed a dominant 63-50 victory over New Zealand.