A final quarter surge from Jamaica saw them seal a 57-47 win and with it a 2-1 Series success over England in Kingston earlier this morning.
Up until the final fifteen minutes these two great rivals were inseparable, locked together at 37-37 as the third quarter came to a close. However, it was the Sunshine Girls who were able to finish with a flourish to claim victory.
The visitors selected the same starting seven from the previous match with Stacey Francis retaining the WD bib and Pamela Cookey fit to play despite receiving a knock in the match on Sunday. With the Series so finely balanced, it was an unsurprisingly tentative start to proceedings. Geva Mentor and Ama Agbeze both claimed early tips for England but possession was also lost on our centre-pass to make sure the score remained close.
Jo Harten was looking sharp in the final third, showcasing her remarkable balance and reach by pulling in a smart lofted feed from Sasha Corbin to net.
England conceded possession from centre-pass on a couple of occasions and it required another Mentor intercept to draw them back into the game for Cookey to convert. A late Romelda Aiken goal had Jamaica ahead 14-12 at the end of Q1.
An early change for the away side was made in the second quarter with Eboni Beckford-Chambers replacing Agbeze in defence. An early turnover due to some powerful England defence allowed Jade Clarke to combine wonderfully with Harten to level the game.
The intensity levels increased with the pressure rising on every attempted pass, shot or drive into the circle. Jamaica moved two clear but England pegged them back to square the match at 24-24 entering half-time.
For the third quarter Agbeze replaced Mentor at GK. A scrappy opening to the second half indicated the nerves on court as both sides failed to retain possession with any authority.
Once more the Sunshine Girls were able to move into a two goal lead but the introduction of Sara Bayman five minutes into the quarter had an instant impact as a converted turnover made the game 30-30.
Chances came and went for the visitors as both Agbeze and Francis saw intercepts fail to make their way to goal. A miss from Jhaniele Fowler-Reid gave England the chance to level the match at the end of the quarter.
With the whistle already blown to indicate time, Harten had a penalty shot from the edge of the circle. She sunk the attempt without the merest hint of nerves and we were back to all square at 37-37 entering the final quarter.
Jamaica raced out of the blocks in Q4 and a quick turnover was converted. Francis then unluckily slipped on the surface and the ball agonisingly slipped from her grasp. The hosts took advantage and the gap was out to four.
Again England had chances on turnover ball but when they were missed, Jamaica seized the momentum with glee. The home side were connecting well in the final third with Shanice Beckford providing the spark and staking her claim to be named Player of the Series.
After a gruelling and dramatic three matches in four days, the tiring legs were taking their toll and despite a late injection from Kadeen Corbin, Jamaica had done enough to claim the spoils.
At one stage in the final quarter the lead for the hosts was at thirteen. England can take great heart on their never give up attitude to reduce the final score deficit but following their last quarter breakaway, the Sunshine Girls deserved the win.
The two sides have been closely matched throughout the Series and for 45 minutes the same was true in this encounter.
England will re-group and take the positives from their trip to the Caribbean with the focus remaining on the Netball World Cup this summer.
Jamaica have once more shown that the battle for supremacy at the top is certainly not restricted to the top three in the rankings.
England starting 7: GS – Harten, GA – Cookey, WA – S.Corbin, C – Clarke, WD – Francis, GD – Agbeze, GK – Mentor
Jamaica starting 7: GS – Aiken, GA – Bedckford, WA – K.Williams, C – Thomas, WD – V.Williams, GD – Facey, GK – Aiken-Pinnock
