The stage is set for a conclusion to the 2025 Red Stripe Flavours/Netball Jamaica Elite League as the Kingston Humming Birds take on the undefeated Manchester Spurs in the championship final at the National Arena today at 5:00 pm.

The Humming Birds are flying high after their win against St Ann Orchid in the semi-finals at the National Arena on Friday.

Trailing by seven goals at one point, they fought back to win 65-57 in extra time.

Tracyann Francis netted 52 goals from 58 attempts to lead the Humming Birds to victory. She received support from Tania Thomas, who scored 11 goals from 14 attempts, and Zonasha Hinds, who added two goals from four shots.

For the St Ann Orchids, Mischa Creary led the charge with 24 goals from 28 attempts, while Kestina Sturridge contributed 22 goals from 36 attempts. Natalee Campbell also scored 11 goals from 14 attempts.

“I am absolutely elated about this victory,” Kingston Humming Birds’ Coach Jodi-Ann Ffrench-Kentish says. “The team performed well, they followed instructions, they had good defensive structures, they had good attacking plays, and that’s what we stuck to the game plan and came out victorious. I think my team is getting it right at the right time.

“We were actually at the bottom of the table at one point and we are just doing it one game at a time, and I believe in the girls and we are just getting the wins at the right time.

“I know that we are going to be victorious in the final. The girls just need to stay composed, keep disciplined, and stick to the game plan because we do have a game plan, we have structures. We worked hard at training and we are just going to execute on the day.”

The St Ann Orchids took an early lead, dominating the first quarter 12-11. However, the Kingston Humming Birds fought back to tie the game at half-time, 48-48.

In the third quarter, the Orchids edged ahead 38-35, but the Humming Birds refused to give up. They battled back to level the game at 48-48 at the end of regular time, sending the match into extra time.

The Humming Birds seized the momentum in the first extra time period, pulling ahead 57-52. They then closed out the game, securing a 65-57 win in extra time.

Ffrench-Kentish also praised her team’s determination and composure under pressure.

“I wasn’t worried at all during the match,” she says. “At the half-time break, I told the girls to keep going. We were down by seven goals at one point and they worked, they fought hard, and they never gave up. We didn’t rush the game at all and that’s what brought us back into the game. One by one we got the goals and we eventually did it.”

Manchester Spurs have remained unbeaten throughout the season. They’ve already tasted victory against the Kingston Humming Birds twice this season and are looking to make it a perfect three from three.

Assistant Coach Shanell Samuda is confident that her team can maintain their unbeaten record, but says she’s also aware that the Humming Birds won’t go down without a fight.

“We are pretty much confident of victory, we don’t want to be too confident,” she says.

“We have been undefeated all season, nonetheless both teams want the championship and so the better team on the day will win. We are just going to take it quarter by quarter, just working it as we go along.”

Commenting on the semi-final game between the Humming Birds and the Orchids, Samuda says, “Tonight’s game, I think it was a very good game. It went down to the wire, both teams played well. It came down to who wanted it more and who stayed disciplined. We meet the Kingston Humming Birds in the final.”

Kestina Sturridge (right) of the St Ann Orchids shoots ahead of Paula-Ann Burton (left) and Shion Clarke of Kingston Humming Birds during the semi-final game in the 2025 Red Stripe Flavours/Netball Jamaica Elite League at the National Arena on Friday, July 25. Strurridge’s teammate Mischa Creary (partially hidden) looks on. (Photo: Collin Reid)

SAMUDA… we have been undefeated all season, nonetheless both teams want the championship and so the better team on the day will win (Photo: Collin Reid)

FFRENCH-KENTISH… I know that we are going to be victorious in the finals. The girls just need to stay composed, keep discipline, stick to the game plan because we do have a game plan (Photo: Collin Reid)