Jamalco bask in JNBS/JNA victory

G Reid

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

DEFENDING champions Jamalco carved out a nail-biting extra-time 53-49 win over Waulgrovians ‘A’ to retain their JNBS/JNA ‘Elite’ Group netball title at the Leila Robinson Courts on Saturday.

The big clash produced one of the most exciting finals seen in a long time. It was also a brilliant display of tactics, shooting and technique from both teams.

Winning coach Winston Nevers was an elated man after the final and said, “It wasn’t an easy game as it went right down to the final whistle. I had expected Waulgrovians to push us right to the end, and the game was so close it could have gone either way.

“When the game went into extra-time I knew that we could have pulled it off as we had experienced fresh legs waiting and we got the better of our opponents in the closing minute with our fast, attacking plays,” Nevers said.

Meanwhile, coach of Waulgrovians, Marvette Anderson, said: “It was a very competitive match as my players played their hearts out and only in the last minute did JAMALCO manage to hold out for victory.

“They have a very experienced set of players and I congratulate them... and also... my players who did a remarkable job in what turned out to be a thrilling final.”

Both teams started with their strongest line-up and began at a fast pace, with JAMALCO leading 6-4 before Waulgrovians rallied quickly to level the scores at 6-6.

A ding-dong tussle ensued onwards, with the scores being tied on three other occasions before Waulgrovians ended the first break leading, 14-12.

Entering 10 minutes of extra time, the match was still anybody’s game with the shooters trading buckets and the scores locked four times before JAMALCO gradually drew ahead and clinched a thrilling 53-49 win.

For JAMALCO, goal-shooter Elaine Davis scored 38 from 44 attempts with goal-attack Marsha Murphy netting 15 from 17.

For Waulgrovians, goalshooter Jhanielle Fowler netted 37 from 39 and goal-attack Simone Forbes 12 from 15 .

Meanwhile, in the Group ‘B’ Open League final, Raven ‘A’ defeated newcomers Global United, 29-19.