TIVOLI Gardens ‘A’ turned back a spirited challenged from Waulgrovians ‘A’ to win 57-53 as the 2012 Berger Paints/Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) Super League competition continued at the Leila Robinson Courts last Saturday.

The victory was Tivoli’s fourth straight from four games, which moved them atop the standings on 20 points, while Waulgrovians are on 14 from four outings.

Mico ‘A’, 15 from four; defending champions JAMALCO, 12 from three; WINDALCO, five from five; UWI Pelicans ‘A’, five from four and Tivioli ‘B’ without a point from four matches complete the standings.

Tivoli’s coach Sylvester “Chris” Campbell was elated with the victory and said it was a team effort despite the fact that a few players stood out in key areas.

“I was very confident of winning this game against Waulgrovians ‘A’ and I think we can go all the way and win the Super League title,” Campbell said.

“We still have defending champions JAMALCO to play and this should be another exciting encounter,” he said.

Campbell said Sabrina Spence, who started in the goalkeeping position, played extremely well.

“When I made the change in the second quarter to replace Cleopatra Grant and put her at goal-attack to combine with Jodi-Ann Ffrench-Kentish who was shifted in the goal shooting position, it paid off very well as Spence showed her real form as she scored goals to put Tivoli back in contention after it seemed like Waulgrovians was taking control in the second and third quarters, respectively.

“It also turned the game dramatically… around,” said Campbell. “Our passes and shootings were more accurate that our opponents’ and it also brought new energy in the team.”

The Tivoli ‘A’ coach said Spence is now fully fit and holding her own, but gave “credit to the entire team as they really played well”.

Meanwhile, Waulgrovians’ coach Marvette Anderson said: “Tivoli ‘A’ wanted it most, but the players made a number of mistakes, especially in the final quarter… that cost us the match.”

“If these errors were not created, Waulgrovians ‘A’ could have won the match as we were leading coming into the final quarter,” Anderson added.

An interesting duel developed from the first quarter where the teams were tied at 11-11 at the first break. The second saw Waulgrovians taking a seven-goal lead at 26-17, but a late surge of attacking plays from Oberon Pitterson at wing attack with the support of the centre court players saw shooters Spence and Ffrench-Kentish finding their target and closing in on their opponents, 27-25 at the half-time break.

Things began to heat up in the third quarter as both teams traded goals, with Tivoli coming right back into the game to level the scores at 30-30.

The momentum increased gradually and they were tied at least four more times before Waulgrovians surged ahead with six goals to Tivoli’s three to lead, 41-38, at the final break.

The battle continued in the fourth quarter, but it was Tivoli ‘A’ who seemed to find that extra edge, while Waulgrovians ‘A’ began making a few mistakes as the scores were locked at 43-43.

Tivoli went up, 45-43, and while the lead was cut to 50-49, it was anybody’s game from then onwards with three minutes remaining.

Pressure began mounting on the players, with the smoother passes of Tivoli ‘A’, and the shootings of Spence and Ffrench-Kentish enabled the West Kingston girls to pull away to win, 57-53.

For winners Tivoli ‘A’, Spence scored 27 goals from 35 attempts; Ffrench-Kentis 17 from 19 and Grant 13 from 24, while Fowler netted all 53 goals from 63 attempts for Waulgrovians “A”.

In the other Super League game played also on Saturday, Mico ‘A’ chalked up their third win by beating UWI Pelicans ‘A’, 40-35. Mico led in all four quarters, 13-6, 22-15, 32-22, before winning 40-35.

For Mico ‘A’, Vanessa Walker scored 16 from 23 attempts; Sharna Carridice 13 from 21 and Kerrisa Kessna 11 goals from 16, while Shadian Hemmings got 19 from 25 and Shawnette Kerr 16 from 29 attempts for the Pelicans.

Action in the Super League continues this evening with Waulgrovians ‘A’ taking on WINDALCO at 5:45 pm and Tivoli ‘A’ facing Mico ‘A’, starting at 6:00 pm.