MICO ‘B’ staved off a late surge from Jamaica Aluminum Company (JAMALCO) to clinch an exciting and thrilling 32-31 win to capture the Netball Jamaica/JNBS Sunshine Open League final at the St Andrew High School For Girls in Kingston on Saturday.

It was Mico’s first hold on the Open League after they were beaten in the final last year by University of the West Indies (UWI) Pelicans. The Mico aggregation had knocked out defending champions UWI Pelicans in the semi-finals last Thursday.

As predicted by both coaches, Janet Guy of Mico ‘B’ and Winston Nevers of nine-time champions JAMALCO, the game turned out to a close and exciting match.

Winning coach Guy was understandably beside herself with joy.

“The players are feeling happy and excited to come out winners after their defeat at the hands of UWI Pelicans in the final last year.

“We dominated the centre court for most of the game despite the players producing a few crucial errors which brought JAMALCO back into the game,” she said.

Losing coach Nevers paid credit to Mico for a game well played.

“It was a very good and competitive game between the two teams and Mico ‘B’ played extremely well to come out victorious against us,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mico ‘B’ through shooters Danielle Masters and captain Simone Reid-Manning gave their team a first-quarter lead of 10-6.

JAMALCO, who looked a bit slow in their early approach, had to contend with the fast-attacking Mico ‘B’led by their centre court trio led by the agile Trisana Hanson.

JAMALCO gradually came into their own in the third quarter and were finding their rhythm with shooters captain Marsha Murphy-Dawkins and Tracey-Ann Francis, who brought their team within two points (24-22) of a bubbly Mico ‘B’.

The fourth and final quarter provided all the actions and many anxious moments for the players and spectators as it could have gone either way with JAMALCO applying the pressure late, but Mico ‘B’ held off the charge to clinch an exciting 32-31 win.

For Mico ‘B’, goal-shooter Masters scored 20 goals from 28 attempts and goal-attack Reid Manning with 12 goals from 19 efforts, while for JAMALCO’s Murphy Dawkins netted 26 goals from 32 attempts, and Francis with five goals from five efforts.

Hanson, who plays centre for Mico ‘B’, was voted the Most Valuable Player of the final.

Meanwhile, Molynes United ‘A’ defeated Blades United ‘A’ 28-19 to win the Consolation Knockout Group ‘B’ final.