Jamaica beat South Africa in Netball
BIRMINGHAM, UK— Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls sent a big message that they were intent on upgrading their bronze medal from the previous Commonwealth Games after a big 19 points 68-49 win over South Africa in their Pool A match at the NEC Arena in Birmingham on Saturday.
It was back to back wins for the Jamaicans after they opened their campaign with a 72-43 win over Wales on Friday.
Led by a combined 48 goals from starting Goal-shooter Jhaniele Fowler and Goal-Attack Shanice Beckford, Jamaica got off to a fast start and led by 11 goals 18-17 after the first quarter and increased the margin to 18 goals at the half time break and were up 37-19.
The Jamaicans continued to push hard and were up 54-31 at the end of the third quarter when both Fowler and Beckford were taken out of the game and despite South Africa ‘winning’ the final quarter 18-14, it was another big win for the Sunshine Girls.
Fowler was perfect with 33 goals from as many attempts, Beckford scored 15 from 18 attempts, Shimona Nelson scored 14 from 14 and Rebekah Robinson scored six from six.
Jamaica will return to action on Monday against Caribbean neighbours Barbados.
-Paul A Reid