DEFENDING champions JAMALCO, along with Waulgrovians ‘A’ and Tivoli ‘A’, have registered big wins in the 2009/2010 Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS)/Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) Open League competition at the Leila Robinson Courts.

The Open League started later than usual in December, but the seeded teams have been winning their matches against their opponents by wide margins.

A record 68 teams are currently participating in the Open League, divided into eight groups with the winners qualifying for the quarter-finals knockout stage.

Several players have switched clubs this season, including former national captain Oberon Pitterson, who led Waulgrovians ‘A’ for many years, now representing the Sylvester Campbell-coached Tivoli ‘A’.

Jamaica’s national senior representative Simone Forbes remains at the Patrick Brissett-coached Waulgrovians ‘A’, though she has decided take a break from national duties to pursue further studies.

The Winston Nevers-coached JAMALCO have been beefed up by the return of Romelda Aiken, who recently returned from playing professional netball in the Australia New Zealand Championships.

JAMALCO still have a strong team that also includes shooter Marsha Murphy, Nadine Bryan, Naudia Brown and Kerry-Ann Brown, and the champions have already proven that they will be hard to beat this season, having so far defeated UTech 52-5 and Red Challenge 55-11.

Tivoli ‘A’ are also going great guns with wins over Jetsetters ‘B’, 67-10, and New Kingston Raiders, while Waulgrovians ‘A ‘defeated Alpha, 50-14, Hampshire ‘C’, 53-8, Bridgeport and Duhaney Strikers.

All three teams will be in action this afternoon and are expected to continue their dominance over their opponents. JAMALCO will face SPEG ‘B’ at 1:15; Tivoli ‘A’ taking on Greenwich and Waulgrovians ‘A’ going up against OMEGA ‘A’ at 7:00 pm.

Other seeded teams that are also playing well and have scored big wins are Hampshire ‘A’, winning 46-6 and 50-12 over Hagley Park ‘B’ and Millennium Strikers, respectively.

Police ‘A’ beat G C Foster ‘A’, 43-11, and SKIBO ‘C’, while WINDALCO rushed past Upper Camp 48-19 and Police ‘B’ 36-13.

WINDALCO, who are also coached by Nevers will play Boulevard Baptist at 6:10, while Police ‘A’ take on Springfield at 2:00.

Rollington Town produced the first major upset of the season by defeating many-time quarter-finalist Jetsetters ‘A’ 33-23.

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony and uniform parade will be held today at 3:40 pm, following the first three rounds of matches. The first set of matches starts at 1:15 pm, and a total of 32 games will be played today.