Without a point on the board and the play-offs coming clearer into focus, Clarendon Gaters will be looking to step on the gas and start winning when they face defending champions St Ann Orchids, in the closing match-up of Netball Jamaica’s Berger Elite League double-header at Leila Robinson Courts today.

Game time is 7:30 pm and will be preceded by the contest between St Catherine Racers and St James Sharpes, which is set to begin at 6:00 pm.

“We’ve six more games to play to ensure a top four position and once we win four of those we should automatically be in the top four,” said Dalton Hinds, head coach of Clarendon Gaters.

“We’ve been having those discussions in training that we really need to win; I think we’ve a pretty decent team. all the teams are balanced, so you’ve to end as good as you start,” added Hinds, who listed consistency as a major bugbear.

St Catherine Racers and St James Sharpes are one win within reach at three points apiece, while the Orchids have six points, two wins behind Manchester Spurs and Kingston Hummingbirds.

The Racers led with some degree of comfort before losing two of their four matches by one point, as they faltered down the stretch. Also, the same thing happened after the first half in their first-round match against the Orchids, which they lost 34-58. Still, with four to qualify for the play-offs in the six-team championship, the Gaters are not counting themselves out.

They were without shooters Shedeiky Hamilton-Barnes and Shadian Hemmings for their first match-up and will count on other key players in Zonasha Hinds, Kerry-Ann Brown, Althea Byfield and Kay-Ann Cousins to turn the tables.

Shawn Murdock, assistant coach of St Ann Orchids, is also keen to secure victory.

“A victory tomorrow is very important,” he said. “As it stands now, apart from the top two the other places are up for grabs. Winning the three points will improve our chances and confidence of getting into the play-offs,” Murdock analysed.

Despite the ease with which they won their confrontation earlier this season, Murdock is expecting a greater challenge.

“I suspect it will be a tougher game than the first encounter at the start of the season. The Gaters should have all their players,” he noted.

Leading the defending champions’ charge will be shooters Thristina Harwood and Rebekah Robinson, plus their national teammates Adean Thomas, Vangelee Williams and Stacian Facey.

Meanwhile in Saturday’s lone encounter, a rescheduled fixture, Kingston Hummingbirds beat St James Sharpes 51-47 to record their fourth win in five matches. The win allowed the corporate area franchise to move to 12 points, the same as Manchester Spurs, who have won all four matches.

Sabrina Spence led all scorers with 38 goals from 48 attempts, while Shanice Beckford, 12 goals from 15 tries and Paula Thompson, one from one, accounted for the Hummingbirds’ scoring.

St James Sharpes were playing for the third time and suffered their second loss, despite making a valiant attempt. However, they can take comfort from the fact that their losses have come against the joint leading teams, having earlier lost against the Spurs.

Former national captain Simone Forbes kept the Sharpes in the contest by scoring 24 of 26 attempts, while Deneen Taylor, 16 from 22 and Jodi-Ann French-Kentish, seven of nine, also scored for the St James unit.