Jamalco, Tivoli clash for title

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

The Leila Robinson Courts will be buzzing with excitement today when defending champions and favourites, Jamalco, oppose Tivoli Gardens 'A' in game one of their best-of-three finals, in the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA)/Berger Paints Super League, starting at 6 p.m.

Jamalco, who are seeking their eighth straight hold on the trophy, secured their spot in the final with a comfortable 54-46 semi-finals win over sister team Windalco on Thursday at the same venue.

The Winston Nevers-coached Jamalco are oozing with confidence, as they remain the only unbeaten team in the competition this season.

They also recorded an exciting 54-52 win over Tivoli in the preliminary round.

However, the finals should be intriguing as both teams are loaded with a lot of national and former national players.

At one end, Jamalco's national defender Nicole Aiken will face off with Tivoli's goal shooter Cleopatra Grant, while at the other, Tivoli's defender Oberon Pitterson, a former national captain and coach, will go up against Jamalco's former national goal-shooting ace Elaine Davis, who is also a former national captain.

In the centre of the court, national captain Nadine Bryan of Jamalco will be contending against Peter Gaye Thomas.

Nevers said his charges are raring to go.

"Every member of the team is very confident because they have been playing good netball all season and they are now ready to defend their title," said Nevers, whose team will be contesting their 13th straight Super League finals.

"However, we know that Tivoli have been playing good and they have a good coach."

He added: "This is going to be a very exciting match because these are two of the best teams in the country, but they will have to beat us to take the title from us ... and we have prepared ourselves quite well for this."

Tivoli last won the trophy in 1998 and according to their coach, Sylvester Campbell, they are very desperate.

Hungry for victory

"We are very hungry for it because we have put a good team together this year and I know that my players are going to do it for us," Campbell said.

The west Kingston-based team booked their place in the finals with an exciting 44-36 victory over Open League champions, Waulgrovians 'A' in the semi-finals.

Campbell said they have worked on the mistakes they made in their loss against Jamalco and they are confident of rebounding.

"We have to hold it tight in attack and make sure that we take care of the ball because I think that we are good at defence and it showed in last night's (Thursday's semi-final) match.

"But we need to get our game flowing in the attacking third and once we do this, then I expect us to come out on top," said Campbell.