BY GERALD REID

Observer writer

RAVENS and Alexander Strikers ‘B’ emerged winners of the 2010 Supreme Ventures Limited-sponsored Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) Division ‘A’ and ‘C’ Clubs Dollaz/Lucky 5 Rallies, respectively, at the Leila Robinson Courts last Saturday.

In the final of the Division ‘A’ League rally, Ravens clipped Molynes ‘A’ 3-2, while in the Division ‘C’ League final, Alexander ‘B’ defeated Blades United ‘B’ 5-1.

For their wins, Ravens collected $12,000, while Molynes ‘A’ took home $10,000 in the Division ‘A’. Alexander ‘B’ walked away with $9,000, with $7,000 going to Blades ‘B’ in the Division ‘C’ section.

Twelve clubs participated in the Division ‘A’ League rally that was divided into two zones. Alexander ‘A’ topped Zone One on goal difference over Ravens and Molynes ‘B’ with all three finishing with nine points each. The goal difference in order was 20-12, 12-19 and 20-19.

Ebony Strikers came out a clear winner with 12 points from Molynes ‘A’ with nine points, but got the better on goal difference over Alpha, who also ended with nine points, 21-18 to 19-20.

In the semi-finals, Molynes ‘A’ beat Alexander ‘A’ 4-1, while Ravens got the better of Ebony Strikers in an exciting encounter 5-4.

The other participating clubs were Hampshire ‘A’, UWI Revolution, Jetsetters ‘A’, Waulgrovians ‘B’ and Maxfield Park.

Meanwhile, in the Division ‘C’ League rally divided into four zones, Alexander ‘B’ captured Zone One ahead of Liguanea United ‘A’, 10 points to nine points; Blades United ‘B’ were the winners of Zone Two with 12 points with Molynes ‘C’ finishing second on nine points.

Zone Three was won by Job’s Lane with 10 points from Police ‘C’ with seven who edged out Duhaney Strikers ‘A’ on goal difference, 16-11 to 13-15. GC Foster Strikers ‘B’ topped Zone Four on goal difference over Springfield and Boulevard Baptist with nine points each.

In the quarter-finals, Alexander ‘B’ defeated Molynes ‘C’ 6-4 in sudden-death after being locked 1-1 at full-time and extra time 3-3; Blades ‘B’ beat Liguanea ‘A’ 4-2; Job’s Lane clipped Springfield 3-2, while GC Foster College ‘B’ defeated Police ‘C’ 6-4.

Alexander ‘B’ defeated Job’s Lanes 6-2, while Blades ‘B’ also defeated GC Foster 6-2 in their respective semi-finals.

Other participating clubs were East Central, Hampshire ‘D’, Millennium Strikers, Duhaney Strikers ‘B’, Maverley ‘B’, SKIBO ‘C’, Greenwich, Liguanea United ‘B’, Hampshire ‘C’ and Hagley Park ‘B’.

Meanwhile, the Division ‘C’ League begins today with Duhaney Strikers ‘B’ vs Blades United ‘B’; Maverley ‘B’ vs SKIBO ‘C’; Liguanea United ‘B’ vs Millennium Strikers; Springfield vs Molynes United ‘C’ at 5:45 pm.

Hagley Park ‘B’ vs Boulevard Baptist; Hampshire ‘C’ vs Alexander Strikers ‘B’ and Liguanea United vs Police ‘C’ at 6:45 pm.

The Division ‘A’ League begins on Thursday with Hampshire ‘A’ vs Alexander Strikers ‘A’; Alpha vs Jetsetters ‘A’; Blades United ‘A’ vs UWI Revolution and Ebony Strikers vs Waulgrovians ‘A’, beginning at 6:00 pm.

Carlene Edwards (left) senior communication officer with Supreme Ventures Limited makes a cheque presentation to Dorothy Hobson, vice-president Jamaica Netball Association while the JNA’s Theda King looks on the launch of the Divisions A and C netball league at the National Stadium Courts last Saturday. The cheque represents an increase over last year’s sponsorship of the A and C divisions. The cheque was for $3,650,000. In addition supreme ventures also made six scholarships available to the girls valued at over $400,000.

(Photo: Collin Reid)