THE stage is set for a thrilling showdown at the National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC) today as Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls look to bounce back against a formidable England Roses in game three of the Vitality Netball Horizon Series.

The game is set for 6:30 pm, with the home team seeking to ignite their campaign in front of a passionate local crowd.

The Vitality Netball Horizon Series marks the beginning of an annual international competition featuring two England-based and two Jamaica-based matches that will foster rivalry and growth in global netball for the next four years.

The teams are vying for the Rhone Hornsby Trophy. The trophy honours Molly Rhone, a Jamaican sports administrator and former national player, and Jean Hornsby, an English player who broke barriers as the first black player to represent her country.

The series has been intense so far, with the first match ending in a 49-49 draw and England taking the second match 55-47 to take a 1-0 lead. Both matches were played at AO Arena in Manchester, and the Sunshine Girls will be looking to draw level and regain momentum on their home court.

Head Coach Sasher-Gaye Henry expressed pride in her team’s performance so far, despite being at a disadvantage due to England’s more extensive international experience.

“The fact that we haven’t played in such a long time, these girls weren’t match-ready compared to England who have played 17 test games before us… I think we did exceptionally well,” Henry told the Jamaica Observer.

“[In] the first two games we were blessed to have done well. The first game was so good; I mean, we played bad in parts but I think it was a keenly contested game. Both teams have similar turnovers and it wasn’t in anyone’s favour. We could have won that game with ease.

“In the second game we did play in parts, too. We didn’t execute, we weren’t disciplined enough to work through court plays and a few other areas that I think we lapsed in,” Henry further said.

With the support of the home crowd, Jamaica is looking to capitalise on their strengths and make adjustments to their game plan to secure a win. Henry emphasised the importance of being disciplined and patient in executing their plays.

“We had so many limitations [but], despite our limitations … we still did well. We didn’t have the girls all in training — they came in late — and it’s just good to see the start of our new four-year cycle, and it’s something that we can learn from. So the loss in the second game, I think it’s a place where we can actually look at all the things that we need to work on and try to improve our games, so we’re going into game three hoping to have a better performance,” said Henry.

“It’s going to be quite highly competitive. [And it will be] good for the fans to come and watch and see because, I mean, we’re on a start of a new journey and we’re hoping to improve on all the work that they have done within the years, and [the] only way we will improve is by continuing to compete against these top teams.

“The girls have showed their skills and what they can do, and I am satisfied. I think, as a group, we’re satisfied that these girls are doing well,” she added.

England Roses Head Coach Jess Thirlby shared her thoughts on the series, praising the standard of play from both teams.

“They’ve set the series on fire, haven’t they?” Thirlby exclaimed. “I think the fact that the opening game was a draw, I think is kind of like delivered on everyone’s expectations of the long-standing rivalry between us and the Sunshine Girls,” said Thirlby.

“The standard of both teams is excellent,” she said. “And, as I say, there’s such a lovely rivalry and we’re two teams that want to get to the top, and top of Australia, and I think there’s great motivation between us both.”

Looking ahead to today’s encounter, Thirlby emphasised the importance of being prepared for a stronger Sunshine Girls performance on home soil.

“I think it’s just important we’re under no illusion that the Sunshine Girls will certainly raise their game now that they’re back on home soil. So it’s important for us to, I guess, make some adjustments and be ready for a Sunshine Girl performance which is going to be elevated with their home crowd,” Thirlby reasoned.

She highlighted key areas of focus for her team, including taking care of possession, finding ways to take the ball off Jamaica’s prolific attack, and being mentally tough to play to the final whistle.

The England Roses head coach also praised the performance of Jamaica’s key players, including Romelda Aiken-George and Shanice Beckford.

The final game of the series is to be played on Tuesday.

HENRY…we’re definitely going to be going hard in training to work on the errors that we think we need to correct in the game. And we’re looking for great things. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

From left: England’s Captain Fran Williams, Jamaica’ stand-in Captain Shanice Beckford, British High Commissioner to Jamaica Judith Slater, Jamaica’s Head Coach Sasher-Gaye Henry, and England’s Head Coach Jess Thirlby share a photo opportunity during a reception held for both netball teams at the British High Commission on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. (Garfield Robinson)