Hummingbirds find wings to level best-of-three Berger Elite League final

Photo: Thristina Harwood with another long range bomb. She had 36 from 43 for the Hummingbirds

Faced with the possibility of being swept in the final of the inaugural Berger Elite League in Jamaica’s semi-pro netball competition, the much fancied Kingston Hummingbirds produced three dominant quarters of netball to stop the St. Catherine Racers in their tracks and set up a grand finale on Sunday May 25.

The Racers started the game as if they were determined not to play a third game with goal shooter Sabrina Spence leading her team to an 11-6 first quarter lead. They were executing on offense and putting on a fine defensive display to deny the “Birds”.

Elaine Davis and Thristina Harwood turned the tide for Birds in the second quarter, Davis from in close and Harwood with her long range bombs combined for 18 goals in the second quarter to blow the game wide open. The Racers were restricted to just 6 in the quarter as the half time scores read Hummingbirds 24-17 Racers.

The third quarter was much closer as the teams traded goals and the Racers edged it 11-10. Heading into the fourth quarter with a 34-28 lead the Birds increased their intensity with Harwood particularly sharp from distance. The hammer blow was dropped on the Racers in this quarter as the Birds double them up with a score of 20-10 to finish the game. The full time score was 54-38 and now both teams must bring their “A” game in order to lift the trophy for the very first time.

The top scorers in the game were Harwood 36 from 43 and Davis 18 from 23 for the Hummingbirds while for the Racers, Spence got 28 from 39 and Anna-Kay Griffiths 10 from 14.