Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls defeated Barbados 40-33 in the third and final match, to sweep the friendly series 3-0 at the GC Foster College for Physical Education and Sports on Sunday evening.

The absence of star goal-shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid did not affect the team’s performance as the number four-ranked Jamaicans easily blew away their number nine-rated Caribbean neighbour for a convincing victory.

During the match, players were rotated throughout the match in order for selectors to pinpoint the highs and lows of each player to eventually select the final 12 for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 3.

The Sunshine Girls opened the match with a five unanswered goals, but the Barbadian team hit back with six consecutive goals. However, the Sunshine Girls managed to eke out a 8-7 lead in the first quarter.

The Sunshine Girls opened the match with a five unanswered goals, but the Barbadian team hit back with six consecutive goals. However, the Sunshine Girls managed to eke out a 8-7 lead in the first quarter.

The second quarter finished at 20-13 in favour of the Jamaicans, who then took the third quarter 28-25 before they ran away with the game 40-33.

Shantal Slater scored 17 goals from 20 attempts, Shanice Beckford netted 14 from 17, Thristina Harwood got four from eight and Deneen Taylor scored five goals from her seven attempts for the Sunshine Girls.

For Barbados, Nikita Piggot Netted 13 from 16 attempts, Shenique Thomas Scored 13 from 17 shots and Shanika Wharton made seven from 11 shots.

Technical director of the Jamaicans, Australian Jill McIntosh, was happy with the team’s performance.

“We needed more goals, but it didn’t come; it does not matter how you win, you just have to win. The fact is it was a great match and good competition is what we wanted,” she told reporters.

“We have 17 players that we rotated on the court and for us it’s been about selection. Some combinations worked better than others, but we had to see them out there on the court… so we really thank Barbados for coming which helped our selectors in many aspects,” She added.

Meanwhile, Barbados coach Anna Shepherd said that her team lost focus in the game and failed to keep pressure on the Jamaicans.

“I am very pleased with our performance, we needed to be focused, but the Sunshine Girls broke our rhythm,” she said.