APPLIANCE Traders Limited (ATL) A created a major upset by defeating many-time champions Scotiabank 62-54 in the 2019 Business House Netball Association (BHNA) Senior A League play-off at Leila Robinson Courts two Saturdays ago.

The win for ATL A was their first against Scotiabank this season, giving them a glorious chance of advancing to the final.

Both teams are tied on 15 points each from seven outings with reigning champions National Housing Trust (NHT) A leading with 18 points from six starts.

Scotiabank, perennial Senior A League contenders, were fancied to beat ATL A — a team they previously defeated in the preliminary round.

The encounter proved to be a closely fought contest from as early as the first quarter as both teams went in search of quick goals, but it was the experienced Scotiabank team which held a slight advantage during the early exchanges. ATL A, however, did not allow the former champions to build any big lead and trailed 12-14 at the break.

Scotiabank continued to hold off their opponents through the contributions of goal shooter Marsha Murphy-Dawkins and goal attack Tennisha Bernard. ATL’s goal attack Genzelle Allison with support from her goal shooter Zanasha Hinds kept their team in contention, but Scotiabank led 31-25 at half time.

In the third quarter, ATL continued to make Scotiabank work very hard and gradually clawed back to trail by only 42-44 entering the final break.

Scotiabank appeared to wilt under pressure as ATL A took control of the game and pushed on for a handsome 62-54. ATL’s Allison netted 51 goals, while for Scotiabank, Murphy-Dawkins netted 40 goals from 40 attempts, and Bernard with 14 goals from 17 attempts.

In Senior League games, Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) got the better of Jamaica National Group 44-39, while NHT B defeated RJR/Gleaner Communications Group 36-27.

— Gerald Reid