SYDNEY, Australia (CMC) — Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls opened their World Cup campaign with a 99-44 thrashing of Samoa but Caribbean neighbours Barbados suffered a similar drubbing at the hands of world number two, New Zealand, on the opening day of the tournament here Friday (Thursday Jamaica time).

Playing in Pool B, the Jamaicans raced to a 45-24 lead at the half-time whistle and never relinquished their advantage with a polished performance down the stretch at the Allphones Arena.

Barbados, meanwhile, had no such fortune as they crashed to a heavy 73-28 defeat in Pool B. They trailed 13-36 at the half and continued to struggle as the powerful Silver Ferns stamped their authority on the contest.

Jamaica were dominant from the outset, leading 25-9 after the first quarter before out-scoring the Samoans 20-15 in the second quarter, to be comfortably ahead at the break.

The third quarter was another blow out as the Jamaicans out-shot their opponents 27-9 and they finished the game in a canter, to run out easy winners.

Goal-shoot Jhaniele Fowler-Reid led with 39 goals from 45 attempts while fellow goal shoot Romdela Aiken shot 29 from 32 and Anna Kay Griffiths, 11 from 16 attempts.

Shanice Beckford supported with 11 from 13 attempts.

For Samoa, Julianna Naoupu was the leading scorer with 21 from 26 attempts, with Auteletoa Tanimo getting 15 from 20.

On Saturday, Jamaica face nemesis England who are ranked just one place above them in fourth.

Barbados, meanwhile, ranked seven spots below New Zealand in ninth, never posed a serious challenge and were already behind 7-21 after the first quarter.

Very little changed in the second quarter as the Eastern Caribbean side trailed by 23 goals at the break.

They produced somewhat of a fightback in the third quarter, out-scored only 11-17 to trail 24-53 at the start of the final quarter but normal service quickly resumed as New Zealand closed out strongly.

For Barbados, goal shoot Shonica Wharton led with 14 from 16 attempts.

The Silver Ferns, meanwhile, were powered by Malia Paseka’s 28 from 38 attempts and Bailey Mes’s 24 from 31.

Barbados’ next assignment is on Saturday against World number one, Australia.