Jamalco begin defence of Berger Super League Netball

DEFENDING champions Jamalco begin the defence of their Berger Paints/Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) Super League Clubs championship today at the Leila Robinson Courts, beginning at 4:30 pm against Police 'A'.

All 10 clubs that will be participating in the Super League will be in action today.

The Winston Nevers-coached Jamalco have won the Berger League for the past seven years, while Waulgrovians 'A' have won it more than any other team on 13 occasions from 17 finals. Tivoli 'A' won it once, similar to Vauxhall.

Jamalco should, however, open their defence on a convincing note with seasoned and experienced players such as shooters Elaine Davis and Marsha Murphy, attackers Samantha Mundle, Nadine Bryan and Naudia Brown and defenders Kerryann Brown and Nicole Aiken.

Meanwhile, Police 'A' should have a difficult task, as they will have to avoid tasting a heavy defeat against the fast playing Jamalco aggregation. Shooters Keisha Howard and Marcella Thompson will have to try to match their opposing shooters goal-for-goal in order to compete.

The Joan Benjamin-coached Police centre court players of Tanisha Stewart, Deonie Gordon and Jennifer Duncan have a tough task ahead in marking Jamalco's centre court players who will surely set a fast pace.

Many-time champions Waulgrovians 'A' should also begin the season with an easy win over Tivoli 'B'. Shooters Simone Forbes, Christina Solom and possible Janie Fowler should lead the scoring for Waulgrovians.

Tivoli 'B' will have Paulette Treasurer, Sade Ffrench, Patricia Chambers, Sabrina Miller, Shalene Burke and Shackesha Williams to challenge.

Meanwhile, the Sylvester Campbell-coached Tivoli 'A', another top team over the years, should have a very interesting encounter with Windalco at 5:45 pm. Cleopatra Grant should be the main scorer for Tivoli with assistance coming from Jodi-Ann Ffrench. Sharmalee Watkins, Nickeisha Cohen, Nicole Peart and Tamara Hylton are expected to hold the centre court with defenders Oberon Pitterson and Peter-Gaye Thomas holding off their opponents' shooters.

Windalco, also coached by Nevers, should have in their line-up shooters Deneen Taylor, Petal Smith and Annakay Griffiths, Viola Francis-Cummings, Nicole Farquharson, Tamisha Bernard, Tracy-Ann Robinson and Trecia Stewart.

Two newcomers in the Super League will face each other -- GC Foster Strikers 'A' and SKIBO 'A' at 4:30 pm.

Another newcomer -- Mico -- also will be making their debut in the Super League when they play Arnett Gardens 'A' at 4:30 pm.

Other game on this afternoon are East Central vs Boulevard Baptist at Boulevard Baptist Church at 3:00 pm; Maverley 'B' vs Hampshire 'D' at St Andrew High School at 3:30 pm, while Jetsetters 'A' vs Molynes United 'A' at 4:30 pm.