Netball World Series: England vs Jamaica

1 month ago 12th Oct 11:23

Umpires: Sharon Kelly, Mandy Nottingham
Reserve Joel Young Strong

Hot off their first win over Australia in 26 years, England needed to beat Jamaica to  engineer another meeting in the grand final of The Co-operative World Netball Series but the Sunshine Girls had their plans for the afternoon.

The damage was done in the second quarter where both teams opted for the power-play and Jamaica stormed  into their unassailable lead. England were already trailing from the first six minute period where the players were bounced around the court in a bruising battle to the ball.

It was a 12 point lead by the end of the quarter, missed shots from England were coupled with a highly accurate Simon Forbes and Romelda Aiken partnership swung the momentum firmly in Jamaica’s favour. The Sunshine Girls dominated physically and muscled England off the court, literally at times. 

England head coach Sue Hawkins has spoken about whether the Fast Net rules allow enough protection for the players from the umpires, maybe it will form part of the review following this highly exciting tournament.

The fans have claimed ownership of the game during the competition and the umpires will have been well aware of the boos ringing in the ears after making some very unpopular decisions - the crowd started refereeing the game themselves.

The third quarter saw Jamaica hold firm under some more sustained England pressure but the final quarter made for a hair-raising finish and really showed how Fast Net’s rules can create a slap bang finish. 

Jo Harten proved the safest pair of hands in the England circle and even just out of it. She knew that to get back in the game and make the final they needed to double up on the goal count and every time she was on the line the shout of SHOOT went up from the fans and for a couple of two-pointers there was hope that maybe England could pull it back. 

In any normal game a ten point gap would put the match out of reach but that’s only five goals from the outside edge of the circle, of course it does not take into account the opposition’s tendency to keep scoring themselves

England

GS: Rachel Dunn GA: Pamela Cookey WA: Tamsin Greenway C: Jade Clark WD:Eboni Beckford-Chambers GD Geva Mentor GK: Sonia Mkoloma

Reps: Jo Harten, Karen Atkinson, Serenia Guthrie, Stacey Francis, Sara Bayman.

Jamaica: GS: Romelda Aiken GA: Simone Forbes WA:Sasha-Gaye Henry  C:Nadine Bryan WD: Paula Thompson GD Nicole Aiken GK: Sasha-Gay Lynch

Reps: Malysha Kelly, Nardia Hanson, Crystal Gordon, Tracy- Ann Robinson, Nichala Gibson