Photo: Jhaniele Fowler-Reid (GS for Jamaica – back to camera) sends the English Roses flying with a fake. Jamaica defeated England 56-47 at the National Indoor Centre to go one up in their three game series. The Series continues today at 4:00pm.
The Sunshine Girls proved once again that they have the mental and physical capabilities to match the third ranked England team as they dispatched their opponents 56-47 to strike first blood against the visitors in their three Test Series at the National Indoor Centre in Kingston Jamaica on Saturday.
Playing at home in front of a good size crowd the Minneth Reynolds coached girls who are on a campaign dubbed Gold Rush Down Under as the yprepare for the World Champions later this year in Australia, hit the crowd with a purposeful seven.
The Jamaican starters were: Captain Nicole Aiken- Pinnock at Goal Attack, Stacy- Ann Facey in goal defence, Khadijah Williams at wing attack, Senior player Paula Thompson at Centre, Vangelee Williams at wing defence with young Shanice Beckford and Romelda Aiken given the task of scoring the goals, both starting at goal attack and goal shooter respectively.
The England starting 7 read: GS – Joe Harten, GA – Rachel Dunn, WA – Sasha Corbin, C – Jade Clarke, WD – Susie Bayman, GD – Eboni Beckford-Chambers, GK – Geva Mentor
It was a tight, hard fought opening quarter and the scores were level at 13 a piece after fifteen minutes. Each side squandered turnover chances to build a lead
The familiar face of one Pamela Cookie at goal attack was meant to tame the host but a wonderful start to the second quarter from the Sunshine Girls, saw them score five unanswered goals punishing the visitors with their unique style and plenty of intensity. England rallied to close out the second quarter 30-24.
The second half started well for the host who replaced Beckford with the little dynamo in Annakay Griffiths at goal attack. The visitors injected Stacy Francis at wing attack to feed the fiery Cookie at goal attack to cut the tempo of the Sunshine Girls defence.
This new combination saw the Jamaicans missing shots and giving up numerous turnovers. The Jamaican coaching staff quickly introduced Jhaneille Fowler Reid to ease the pressure on Aiken and the experienced Sasha- gaye Henry took over at wing defence, guiding the host to a 42- 34 lead at the end of the quarter.
With a significant lead established , the dominant Paula Thompson, wearing a strap on her thigh, was given a rest with Nicole Dixon took on the centre roll and Vangelle Williams relieving her captain of the goal keeper duty for the final quarter.
England decided not to go down without a fight went for the changes to personnel on court for the final fifteen minutes with Kadeen Corbin taking over at GS, Harten shifting to GA. Eboni Beckford-Chambers joined Ama Agbeze in the defensive circle.
However, with time running out the away team were trying to force the issue and with their eagerness came inaccuracy.
The sunshine Girls held their nerves to close out the game in fine style 56- 47, sending the Roses back to their hotel with burning fingers and hope of coming back in the second match which comes up on Sunday at 7;00pm.
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