ST ANN Orchids produced another impressive display to beat Kingston Hummingbirds 49-37, capturing the 2016-2017 Netball Jamaica/ Berger Elite League title in the final game of the series at UTech’s Alfred Sangster Auditorium on Saturday night.

The Orchids clinched the best-of-three finals 2-1, after losing game one 47-53, then levelled the series 1-1 by winning game two 58-39 before finishing off their opponents with another win in game three on Saturday.

Winning coach Janet Guy was particularly pleased with the all-round performance from the players.

“I am extremely proud of the girls as they were very outstanding throughout the entire match. I would not single out any particular individual as everyone played their role,” she said.

“The Birds made several changes to offset our rhythm, but we stuck to our game plan and also made certain we stayed on top of the entire match.”

Roy Pryce, assistant coach of the Hummingbirds, congratulated St Ann Orchids for winning the competition, but also praised his players for their efforts.

“They (Orchids) played very well, but I must also congratulate Hummingbirds as it is the second time they have reached the final. We won it in 2014, finished last 2015, and came back to be in the final again,” Pryce said.

He said the first quarter was evenly contested as both teams were locked at 8-8 before the Orchids took over.

“We had somewhat of a poor second quarter as the Birds wasted several turnovers and, added to this, the shooters were extremely off as Orchids went into a handsome lead. It was always going to be a challenge to come back in contention trailing by 11 goals at half-time,” said Pryce.

Once again, goalshooter Sabrina Spence of the Orchids was at her best as she netted 39 goals from 44 attempts and ended as the league’s leading scorer.

Both teams were locked in a keen first-quarter contest, with the Birds going in front 6-3 before the Orchids netted three consecutive goals to even out 6-6. They were again locked 8-8 before the Orchids took over 10-8 at the break.

The Orchids then pulled away in the second quarter with good attacking plays and defensive work. The Birds found the going too tough to handle as the Orchids kept their score ticking overs through shooter Spence, who was well supported by Captain Simone Forbes. The Orchids took a 26-15 lead at half-time.

In the third quarter, the Birds gradually came back into their own as goal-shooter Thristina Harwood began hitting the target as they closed the lead to 27-22. At the final break, the Orchids led 34-26.

By the fourth and final quarter the Orchids were in the driver’s seat, dominating all aspects of play as they made the turn for home. The Orchids outscored the Birds 15-11 goals in the quarter to come out triumphantly for the final figure of 49-37.

Captain Forbes of the Orchids scored 10 goals from 12 attempts, while for the Birds, Harwood scored 31 goals from 41 attempts, and Kera Christie with five goals from 10 efforts.