The UWI Pelicans ‘A’ team will be looking to maintain a consistently high standard for the game’s entirety when they challenge UTech Knights, in what is expected to be a tough battle for Major League honours in Netball Jamaica’s JN Bank Parish League final on Sunday.

The feature contest is one of five finals and as many third place play-offs in a netball fest at Leila Robinson Courts, slated for a start time of 5:30 pm.

UWI Pelicans have always been gracious in holding their form throughout their games and co-coach Oberon Pitterson-Nattie, the former Sunshine Girls captain and head coach, says they must be consistent to enhance their chances.

“It’s not going to be a walk in the park for sure. They have quite a few national players like ourselves and their attack is very dominant, very dominant, with Beckford (Shanice) and Williams (Khadijah). And so, we’ve to ensure that we’re able to contain them and at the same time make use of our attack,” observed Pitterson-Nattie.

She added: “I think our attack is sound with Kimona Nelson being our consistent shooter and so as long as we get the ball safely in her hands it’ll be fine. It’s just a matter of what we do around the back, and I’m confident in the defence.”

The Pelicans have been strong in defence, conceding 166 goals in seven matches, the second-lowest tally. Only their opponents, who conceded 163 in eight games, have done better.

Another key statistic pertains to their shooting, which is also second best overall, with 200 goals. UTech Knights have scored more, 266, and as she indicated about their shooting, Pitterson-Nattie is looking at ways to thwart their efforts. That, in some part, rests on their own game.

“They’re confident, but with UWI things have to be happening throughout the court,” expressed Pitterson-Nattie. “They’re really a sight to see when everybody is doing their part, but at times they’ve been inconsistent. one minute it’s the attack firing and nothing in defence, then next minute it’s the defence firing and nothing firing in attack.”

She admits that a combination of both contributed to a loss against their opponents this season, however, they returned the favour in their other match in this competition. UTech Knights had won 31-24, while the Pelicans were victorious 29-27.

Wing attack Thristina Harwood will be chiefly responsible for maintaining a quality supply chain, while Shameera Sterling, Kara-Lee Tingling, Tara Gayle and up-and-coming shooter, Shimona Nelson, are other players on who they will rely to win.

“Certainly, when we lost to them we didn’t play well defensively, our attack wasn’t fluent. And getting the ball to the shooters we struggled there too. So we’ve to take care in how we move the ball through mid-court and ensure that we get it into the hands of the shooter safely,” Pitterson-Nattienoted.