JAMAICA’S senior women’s netball team Head Coach Connie Francis was pleased with their performance despite losing 2-1 to England in their three-match Vitality International series.

The Sunshine Girls, whose squad had a number of injuries, lost the decisive game 63-59 at the Copper Box Arena in London yesterday.

Jamaica rebounded from the first-game 73-52 loss at the OA Arena in Manchester with a 61-58 win over the third-ranked England at Copper Box on Saturday.

“We had our opportunities,” Francis said after the game yesterday, “and also our younger players were able to get quality time on court and to prove themselves.”

This was Jamaica’s last serious preparation before the World Cup in South Africa this summer. Despite playing without a number of their top players and having to manage court time because of injuries and illnesses, they remained competitive throughout.

England Roses, who are scheduled to meet South Africa in another series starting this weekend, had won their previous series against Jamaica 2-1 in 2021.

Jamaica played without star shooter Jhaniele Fowler for the entire third quarter and were down to six players late in the third quarter when 20-year-old wing defence Crystal Plummer was sent to the ‘sin bin’ for two minutes after being warned about repeated infringements by the umpires.

Fowler, who left the court with just under four minutes to go in the second quarter, told reporters she “felt nauseous” and returned for the fourth quarter after Australia-based Shimona Nelson took over the goal-shooting duties.

Jamaica trailed 16-20 at the end of the first quarter but outscored England 15-10 in the second quarter to lead 31-30 going into the half-time break.

England reasserted themselves in the third quarter, tying up the score at 36-all with nine and a half minutes left in the period before going on a 10-7 run as Jamaica was forced into yet another substitution, bringing on Rebekah Robinson for Shanice Beckford.

The hosts led 48-44 going into the final quarter and while Fowler helped Jamaica to rally, they could get no closer than two goals at any one time.