BIRMINGHAM, England — In what can only be described as a beautifully merciless statement of intent, Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls continued to woo netball supporters at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, after delivering one of the rarest feats in the sport at this level.

The Jamaicans had little regard for Caribbean unity, first stamping their authority and then breaking the spirits of their opponents from Barbados with a stunning 103-24 win at the NEC Arena.

It was a performance that left the jam-packed crowd in awe, fully aware of the infrequency of a triple-digit goal score at the Commonwealth Games, as the achievement had not been seen for 12 years.

The 2022 Sunshine Girls became the first team since the 2010 Sunshine Girls to score 100 or more goals in a match at the Games. That 2010 team, which was also coached by Francis, defeated India 100-27, two days after Australia inflicted a 113-18 beating on the Indians.

New Zealand’s 101-17 win over Canada and their 116-26 victory over Sri Lanka were the only other times centuries have been scored in Commonwealth Games netball.

Coach Connie Francis’s reaction? Blame the players.

“With certain targets and when it comes to playing certain teams, it’s down to the players to determine; the one thing I asked of them was to ensure that we took care of the ball but the [100 goals] target really came down to the players who made that decision. They said that they wanted it so they went for it and, you know, I’m very proud of the effort behind it,” Francis said, smiling.

It was also going to be a comfortable victory for the medal-chasing Jamaicans but there were signs it could be a really terrible afternoon for the Bajans from the opening whistle.

Despite resting star shooter Jhaniele Fowler, as well as centre Nicole Dixon-Rochester and wing defence Jodi-Ann Ward, the Jamaicans raced to a 23-5 lead at the end of the first quarter with goal shooter Shimona Nelson having her way in the circle. She would eventually end the game with 58 goals from 60 attempts.

As the Jamaicans continued to overpower the Bajans, ending the third quarter with a 73-17 advantage, it became clear that the 100-goal mark was being targeted, when Fowler shed her team jacket and entered the court for the fourth quarter.

She helped herself to 24 goals from 27 attempts to help take the jubilant Jamaicans to their target.

“Well, I’m really proud of the effort of all the girls because some of the players are playing a lot, especially Shamera (Sterling) … so we tested our fitness and we rotated some players in and I’m seeing that it’s a positive because even though the game wasn’t as flawless, I thought that we had heaps of good plays, heaps of good defending and attacking, and we put it together with our shooting,” said Francis.

The Jamaicans took advantage of limited Barbados defending to shoot 81 per cent, much higher than the their 58 per cent against South Africa and 63 per cent against Wales in their previous games.

Francis is, however, warning against complacency and encouraged the team to remain focused on the bigger challenges ahead.

“We have to always respect our opposition and don’t be careless. It doesn’t matter if you’re winning by 60 …,” Francis said.

The Girls highlighted a positive day for Jamaica in Birmingham, with boxer Jerone Ennis delivering a points victory over Billy McAllister from Australia in their light heavyweight bout at the NEC.

“I want to thank God and my coach who is behind all my hard work. I want to also thank the JDF for helping me to prepare for this fight and also my mom for continuously motivating and pushing me,” said Ennis. “I have a lot to work on. I threw fewer punches and my next fight will be more challenging so I have to go and work on my mistakes.”

Squash player Julian Morrison also made progress in the men’s singles plate competition, beating Joe Chapman (British Virgin Islands) 3-1 (5-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-5) and will play Zambia’s Kundanji Kalengo in the plate semi-finals today at 4:45 pm (10:45 am Jamaica time).

Cyclists Daniel Palmer (1:11.307), Malik Reid (1:11.944) and Zoe Boyd (1:13.681) finished down the list — 17th, 18th and 19th, in the men’s 1,000m time trial final which was won by Australia’s Matthew Glaetzer in 59.505.

Dahlia Palmer was fourth in her women’s keirin heat and missed out on advancing after a second-place ride in the repechages.

In the pool, Kito Campbell, 28.87 seconds, was seventh in the men’s 50m breaststroke heats, while Mackenzie Headley, 57.37, and Zaneta Alvaranga, 58.80, finished seventh and sixth in their women’s 100m freestyle heats and outside of the qualifying times. Sidrell Williams, 56.84 swam seventh in his 100m butterfly heat.