Sunshine Girls clinch series against Barbados with a game to go

Photo courtesy of Netball Jamaica

Jamaica defeated Barbados in game 2 in the best of three series being played at the GC Foster College, to take an unassailable 2-0 lead last night. Following on their big win in game one by 21 points, the Sunshine Girls were able to inflict the same margin of victory in game 2 to wrap up the series.

Playing with a changed team from game one, the Sunshine Girls got off to a slow start and it was the visitors Barbados who held a narrow 1 point lead at the end of the first quarter with the scores reading Jamaica 6-7 Barbados.

That is all the joy the tourists would have for the match as the home team stepped up their game in the second quarter going on a 9-0 run to take control of the game. Barbados countered with a 7-0 run of their own but the locals managed to outscore their opponents 13-8 for a half time lead of 19-15.

Jamaica managed to double the lead on their opponents by the end of the third quarter registering 14 to the 10 of Barbados.

Young guns Shantal Slater and distance shooter Thristina Harwood dropped the hammer on Barbados in the fourth quarter as they alone with Shanice Beckford and Deneen Taylor dropped in 17 to a mere 4 for Barbados.

Slater and Harwood both finished the game with 19 points from 24 and 23 attempts respectively. Beckford was the next highest scorer for Jamaica with 8 from 11.

Nikita Piggott led the way for the Barbados team with 12 from 17 and Laurel Browne assisted with 11 from 16.

Despite the wide margin of victory, Jamaica was guilty of too many turnovers and will have to work on that aspect of their play ahead of the Commonwealth Games which begins next month.

Jeniece Clarke was injured in the 2nd quarter of game and one received stitches at the hospital for a laceration under the left eye.  She will take no further part in the series but is reportedly recovering well. 
 

Barbados goal shooter Shanica Wharton was taken off in the 3rd quarter of game 2 due to a left ankle injury.

Game three of the series will be played today at the same venue beginning at 5:30pm.