Falmouth youth club captures JPS netball mid-season crown

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Falmouth Police Youth Club (PYC) won the first-ever JPS Trelawny Open Netball League mid-season final on Saturday afternoon when they defeated Stewart Town Police Youth Club 34-9 at the Elliston Wakeland Youth Centre Courts, in Falmouth.

In a dominant performance spearheaded by captain and goal attack Karen Hamilton, the Falmouth PYC aggregation were in front from the start leading the first three quarters - 10-1, 17-4 and 29-6 as the expected major challenge from the Stewart Town team fizzled after they were outgunned in a fast-paced first quarter.

"I thought we played a very good game today, and I must congratulate my teammates for a job well done," said Hamilton. "Our next goal is now to go on and become the overall champions of the league."

As a consequence of their win, the Falmouth PYC team, which completed their four-game first-round preliminary fixture undefeated with maximum 12 points, is now the only unbeaten team in the eight-team competition. The Stewart Town team was also unbeaten coming into the mid-season finals.

First quarter

In the first quarter, the dazzling Hamilton was all the rage as she scored six times in powering her team to an impressive 10-1 lead. Hamilton was well supported by goalshooter Peter-Gay James, who provided her with numerous accurate passes under the hoop.

The Stewart Town team managed to slow down Falmouth in the second quarter, and at times looked quite competitive, especially through Cassandra Morgan, who scored all three goals as they lost the quarter 7-3. However, Falmouth appeared quite comfortable with their 17-4 half-time lead.

In the third quarter, Hamilton again went into overdrive for Falmouth, scoring eight of the goals in her overall game tally of 18. Stewart Town looked woefully outgunned as only Morgan, who ended the game with 14 goals, seemed in the mood to battle on as Falmouth took the quarter 12-2.

Kept possession

With victory seemingly assured with their 29-6 lead going into the final quarter, Falmouth toyed with Stewart Town as they kept possession of the ball without showing any great urgency in trying to extend their lead. The winners took the final quarter 5-3 which was enough to give them their comprehensive 34-9 victory.

"It was a pretty good game despite the margin of victory for Falmouth," said Clint Parkins, the competition's co-ordinator. "I am sure Stewart Town is going to regroup in the hope of getting the better of Falmouth for the overall title."

The winning Falmouth PYC team was: Peter-Gay James (GS), Karen Hamilton (GA), Nashema Grant (WA), Keino Johnson (C), Nyoshe Mills (WD), Acasia Downer (GD) and Julian Rose (GK).