LUCEA, Hanover

Russia and Blazers B are the champions of the JPSCo sponsored netball leagues in Hanover and St James respectively after scoring wins in the finals played last weekend.

Russia scored an upset 33-29 win over defending champions Logwood in the Hanover Open League finals played at Watson Taylor Park on Sunday a day after Blazers held off Nampel 32-27 in the St James Intermediate finals at the Montego Bay Cricket Club.

They will now await the winner of the Westmoreland Super League for the end of season play-off.

Playing in their second final in three years, Russia got off to a fast start and held on to beat last year’s winners thanks to 28 goals from former national Under 16 player Danielle Ellis.

In the consolation play-offs, Sandy Bay whipped Green Island 43-17 with Althea Willie scoring 29 goals and Todie Ann Taylor scoring 14.

Sunday’s final was the third time the teams were meeting with either winning once; Russia had edged Logwood 20-17 in the first round but lost by 18 goals 39-21 in the return round.

In the final, Russia jumped out to a two goals lead after the first quarter, leading 8-6 and increased it to seven goals at half time 18-11.

Logwood, who was seeking their third title for the season after winning the opening rally and mid-season titles, managed to outscore Russia 17-15 in the second half but the deficit was too wide.

Sheena Lawson supported Ellis with five goals while Shagail Green led Logwood with 14 goals from 17 attempts, Nicole Fletcher scored nine goals while Bridgette Brown got seven.

On Saturday, Blazers B survived a second half rally by Nampel to win by five goals.

Led by outstanding play by centre Twitty-Ann Reid and goal attack Tracey-Ann Davis, Blazers dominated the early periods of the game and appeared headed for a big win until the Trelawny based Nampel stormed back in the second half to make things interesting.

This was Blazers second title of the season after sharing the mid-season title with rally champions Herbert Morrison High.

After being tied at 2-2 early, Blazers then scored five consecutive goals to go 7-2 up and led 11-4 after the first quarter.

Blazers continued to pressure early in the second quarter, scoring the first four goals to push the lead into double figures at15-4.

Nampel, however, came into their own to reduce the lead to six goals at 17-11 and trailed 12-19 at the half time break.

Both teams battled through the third period and were granted a longer-than-usual rest going into the fourth quarter after a power cut knocked out the flood lights.

The rest seemed to benefit Blazers as they came back with more energy and restored their lead to seven goals 29-22 with just under nine minutes to go, and while Nampel came within four goals of tying the scores 31-27, Blazers had enough firepower at both ends of the court to take the title.

Davis led all scorers with 17 goals from 24 attempts for Blazers while goal-shooter Monique Bingham scored 16 goals from 35 attempts.

Natasha Powell scored 14 goals for Nampel, Kelisha Marsh who replaced Simone Ellis scored 11 goals while Ellis got four.