Blazers, Crystal United for St James netball final
MONTEGO BAY, St James — Former champions Blazers A held off a charging 12 Star to book their place in Sunday’s final of the St James Netball Association’s Hunger Buster/Impact Auto Senior League with a close one goal (43-42) win in the semi-final at the Montego Bay Boys Club on Saturday.
After losing by a similar margin last year, Blazers A were up to the task to ensure their place in the final where they will take on defending champions Crystal United, who turned back Angels A 50-31 in their semi-final on Sunday at the same venue in a repeat of last year’s semi-finals.
Blazers, who led by five goals (34-29) at the end of the third quarter, were forced to hang on for the slim victory as 12 Star, the Zone B winners, staged a gallant fourth-quarter charge that just failed to get them the win.
Blazers led 10-8 after the first quarter and 23-20 at half-time thanks to Shadian Hemmings, who scored a game-high 38 goals from 44 attempts, while Nickesha Ferron scored four goals and Roxanne Wallace the other goal.
Jodie McIntosh scored 22 goal from 28 attempts for 12 Star, while Crystalee Carter scored 20.
Crystal, who are unbeaten all season, including the end-of-first-round final, had little difficulties against Angels on a court that was made slippery from early afternoon rains, to repeat their semi-final win from last year.
The champions led 13-6 at the end of the first quarter and 26-23 at half-time. Angels managed to whittle away at the lead in the third quarter, trailing by just two goals (33-35) going into the fourth, but were blown away 15-5 in the final quarter.
Ladonna Lamonth scored 37 goals from 45 attempts to lead Crystal, Rita Spence, who started at goal defence, also scored eight goals, while Carlalee Tingling scored five goals.
Nicole Fletcher was the bright spot for Angels with an efficient 30 goals from 35 attempts, while Daniesha Love got the other goal.