TG 'A' topple Jamalco for fastnet netball crown

Gerald Reid

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

TIVOLI "A" turned back defending champions JAMALCO, 19-17, goals to capture the JNBS/JNA FASTNET title at the Leila Robinson Courts last Saturday.

It was a repeat of last season's final when dethroned champions JAMALCO won 32-27 in the final. Tivoli lost two games in the preliminary round when they were beaten 15-21 by the former champions and 18-20 by Mico "A" .

The FASTNET competition was also an exhausting day for the majority of players as the expected two-day event was changed to one day.

Most players were afraid to attempt shots from outside the shooting circle or comfort zone, with only Jodi-Ann Ffrench-Kentish of Tivoli "A", Jhanielle Fowler of Waulgrovians "A" and Keresa Kessna of Mico "A" entertainingly taking several four-point shots that proved successful.

Meanwhile, in the final, JAMALCO and Tivoli "A" had a tense tussle in the first quarter which saw the defending champions take a narrow 3-2 lead.

Not many goals were scored in the second quarter as both teams played it safe, withTivoli "A" going in front, 4-2 before JAMALCO regained the lead, 6-5. However, Tivoli "A" again drew level, 6-6, at half-time.

With the game evenly poised and shots from both teams not finding their target, buckets were hard to come by, resulting in Tivoli scoring three goals to JAMALCO's one as they led, 9-7.

The 'power play' in the final quarter was to be the most crucial aspect of the game. The scores were tied on four occasions at 11-11 and 13-13, with Tivoli "A" going ahead, 17-15, before JAMALCO hit back to level the match at 17-17.

With just 30 seconds remaining, a ding-dong tussle ensued. Tivoli's Ffrench-Kentish scored to move her team ahead, 19-17, and then held off the late attempt of JAMALCO in the closing seconds to win in the nick of time.

Winning coach Sylvester Campbell said it was a good game and they really felt very good to have won a title at the highest level.

Losing coach Winston Nevers said the match was a good and competitive one and that is how a final should be played.

Meanwhile, in the semi-finals, JAMALCO defeated Mico "A", 17-12, while Tivoli "A" held off Waulgrovians "A", 19-17. Third place went to Waulgrovians "A", who defeated Mico "A", 24-16, with fifth placing going to UWI Pelicans "A", who beat Tivoli "B", 21-9.

JAMALCO topped the preliminary round by winning all their matches and ended with 15 points, followed by Tivoli "A" with nine, Waulgrovians nine, Mico "A" seven, UWI Pelicans "A" four and Tivoli "B" pointless .

Meanwhile, the semi-finals of the Open League will be played on Thursday with Alpha "A" taking on Global United and Arnett Gardens "A" facing Raven "A' in Group "B" at 5:45 pm.

In the "Elite" Group semi-finals, defending champions JAMALCO play UWI Pelicans "A" and Tivoli "A" face Waulgrovians "A", starting at 6:45 pm.