THEY met in last year’s final, with Kingston Hummingbirds walking away with the trophy. This evening, Manchester Spurs get their shot at revenge as they take on their arch-rivals in the Netball Jamaica/Red Stripe Flavour Elite Netball League final. And it’s a story with everything — redemption, pressure, and an unbeaten run on the line.

The game is set for 7:30 at the National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC).

Kingston Hummingbirds didn’t start perfectly, and Head Coach Kerry Ann Brown admitted they only had “two weeks before the competition” to get things going. They lost their opening game to Manchester Spurs, and the disappointment was real, but that loss sparked something.

“We went on and we won our last three games after that — and that gave us the push going into the finals. So, the ladies are ready and they’re just waiting for the game,” Brown said.

They are carrying the weight of being defending champions, and Brown isn’t pretending the pressure isn’t there.

“There’s always added pressure for any championship the moment you get to the final…we are just going to work, one game at a time, and just continue to communicate out there and just work hard, play hard, and just hope for the win at the end of the last whistle.

“They know the challenge ahead; they lost to Manchester Spurs in their first game this season.

“It was not easy… going up against them in the final is definitely going to be a challenge, it’s going to be a difficult one, but… the ladies are looking forward to that challenge and they’re ready to take it on,” Brown told the Jamaica Observer.

If the Hummingbirds are battle-tested, Manchester Spurs are battle-proof, and team manager of Spurs Maureen Brown says preparation heading into this evening’s final has been all about unity and grit.

“The team preparation has been very good. The team has gelled and bonded together very well. The inclusion of Shanice Beckford has just given the team more confidence, and once we stay focused and disciplined we should overcome,” Maureen said.

But Maureen admitted there are still a few nerves as they face the team that broke their hearts last year.

“Facing the team that defeated us last year brings a little anxiety — after not losing a game all season, going into the final, and then losing it.

“So this time around we just need to stay calm, ensure every centre pass is scored, and try to even steal theirs and score as well — but we’re expecting a tough and competitive match from the Kingston Hummingbirds,” Maureen said.