MANY-time winners Waulgrovians “A” pulled off an exciting 42-39 win against Tivoli “A” as the “Elite” Group JNBS)/JNA Open Netball League continued at the Leila Robinson Courts last Saturday.

The purple and white-clad Waulgrovians “A”, coached by Marvette Anderson, had to come from a first-half deficit of 25-16 to brilliantly rally in the second half to emerge victorious over the Sylvester “Chris” Campbell-coached Tivoli “A”.

It was the first defeat for Tivoli in five games, while Waulgrovians were scoring their third win from five games.

National shooter Jhanielle Fowler said it was an all-round effort by all the players as they stuck to the task despite trailing at half-time, but the game was not yet over as the second half would decide the outcome of the match.

“It was a tremendous victory for the team and our supporters although we were behind at half-time. It was also a great game between us as over the years Tivoli “A” and Waulgrovians “A” always produce exciting results, and this was shown in this match,” Fowler said.

Fowler, who had an outstanding shooting performance, especially in the second half, said there were three players who stood out in the match despite all the players playing their part. “Goalkeeper Dhanyel Johnson and goal defence Paula Thompson played extremely well in defence, while centre Khadijah Williams was a hallmark in the victory as she roamed all over the court and provided the attacking plays,” said Fowler.

Fowler admitted that Waulgrovians are not yet at their peak but are coming on strongly one game at a time and the team will be looking to improve throughout the competition.

Play in the first half saw both teams in a ding-dong tussle with the scores locked at 7-7 before Waulgrovians went up by three, 11-8.

However, Tivoli turned on the pressure and began increasing their lead through shooter Cleopatra Grant and at half-time they led, 25-16.

A dramatic turnaround came in the second half with Tivoli leading, 30-20, but gradually Waulgrovians game with a burst and trailed only by four goals, 33-29, as Williams combined with Adean Thomas and Marion Campbell and dominated Peter-Gaye Thomas Kemiesh Sterling and Sade Ffrench.

Tivoli made a change with the scores locked at 35-35 with five minutes remaining and from then onwards, it was anybody’s game as play swung from side to side with the scores locked at 36-36 and 37-37 before Waulgrovians took over the lead and managed to went up, 41-38, with a minute remaining as Tivoli failed to come up with a late burst in the closing seconds and went down 42-39.

In another result in the “Elite” Group, University of the West Indies (UWI) Pelicans “A” beat Tivoli “B”, 39-13.

In Group “B” of the Open League, Arnett Gardens “A” whipped Springfield, 45-11; Molynes United “A” defeated Maxfield “B”, 49-15; SPEG “A” crushed Spanish Town, 46-7; Alpha “A” defeated Red Challenge; Blades United “A” Cruised past Molynes United “C”, 31-8; Claremont Heights got past De La Vega, 25-22; Waulgrovians “B” beat Liguanea United “A”, 36-18; Global United crushed Hagley Park “B”, 54-8; SPEG “B” defeated Maxfield Park “B”, 39-24; Alexander Strikers “A” beat Fresh Approach, 25-7; Jamaica Defence Force whipped Upper Camp “B”, 40-16; Friendship beat Raven “C”, 39i-11, and Blades United “B” beat Hellshire “B”, 30-11.

The competition continues tomorrow with eight matches, with the first round starting at 5:5 pm at the Leila Robinson Courts.