The University of the West Indies (UWI) Pelicans defeated the high-riding Molynes United ‘A’ 30-19 to capture the 2016 Netball Jamaica/Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Sunshine Open League title at the National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC) on Saturday.

It was the Pelicans’ second lien on the Open League title as they had won it in 2014. They also completed the competition as the only unbeaten team, while ending Molynes’ giant-killing run.

Heavy early afternoon showers prevented Saturday’s activities from being played on the Leila Robinson Courts, such as the Jo Wigman Rally, Open League ‘B’ group and Open League finals. All these matches were switched to inside the NISC.

Winning coach of UWI Pelicans, Conrad Parkes, was elated with the win.

“The task of becoming champions again has been completed. The players did what they had to do and that was winning. It is better to have an ugly win than to have a pretty defeat,” Parkes said.

He said both teams played well, but he identified goal shooter Thristina Harwood for special praise, as well as goal keeper Shamera Sterling.

The Pelicans’ coach said his next aim is the divisional Major League where he will come up against the top eight teams from the Open League, some of whom he did not face in the Open League competition.

“The Major League will not be easy as there are several good teams, and everyone has a chance, but I hope we can come out victorious,” Parkes concluded.

Meanwhile, losing coach Roy Pryce said: “The players did not play as I had instructed them to do and they went on to play a little too individually. We got the chance to level the scores in the third quarter at 17-17 but wasted the chance. From then we wasted too many turnovers, and that allowed the Pelicans to capitalise strongly and run away to victory,” Pryce said.

“However, I am very glad for the girls as they have played extremely well throughout, and it is also an achievement to reach this far in the final for the first time. This is no disgrace, they played their hearts out and wanted to win the competition.”

Pryce said the players will have to go back to the drawing board and correct the mistakes produced in the final. “I am also happy that I will have two teams in the upcoming Major League, and that is also a great achievement for the club,” Pryce added.

Meanwhile, in the 40-minute Open League final, Pelicans led 8-6 at the first break, and went into the half-time break with a 16-12 lead.

Play changed a bit in the third quarter with Molynes almost on even terms with their opponents as they moved within one point (17-16) of the lead. From then onwards it was the Pelicans who went into the final break with a 21-16 lead.

Thristina Harwood scored 21 goals from 22 attempts and her teammate Rebekah Robinson added nine goals from from nine efforts for Pelicans; Shantal Slater got nine goals from 11 attempts and Kera Christie added eight goals from nine efforts.

Carla Lee Tanglin, wing attack for the UWI Pelicans was voted the Most Valuable Player of the final and received a trophy and also cash award.

In the ‘B’ Group Consolation Open League final, University of Technology (UTech) defeated SPEG ‘A’ 40-28.