Jamalco top Mico to retain Clarendon title

Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Jamalco's big guns came to the party and delivered the goods before a lively audience and at times intense exchange against Mico College University, to retain the Clarendon Senior League netball title 58-49 on Sunday at the home of its sponsor, Juici Patties, at Clarendon Park.

The contest had been set up as a humdinger after Mico - a guest team in the eight-team competition - had earned bragging rights by topping the preliminary battles unbeaten, incluive of a 49-47 victory over Jamalco in the penultimate game.

However, the return of Jamaica's current national star, Romelda Aiken, the steady hand and experience of Elaine Davis and the versatility of Marsha Murphy, made all the difference against a Mico team that displayed greater athleticism, but were just short on having taller quality players they could interchange from the bench.

Shauna Carradice was probably more potent than either of Davis and Aiken at the hoop, but had to play every minute of the hour-long contest. Their goal attack Jodian Buckle - their livewire - did more running and had more interceptions than all, and had they won, could easily have been the game's MVP.

Murray mvp

That honour was given to Marsha Murphy, who started in wing attack driving Jamalco's play down the flanks, and more importantly, who expertly took the zip off Mico's scoring when she took over the goal defence in the final quarter from Camille Brown, who had put up little resistance to Carradice.

Winston Nevers, the long-standing Jamalco coach, said defence had caused their preliminary defeat, owing to the absence of key players.

"We didn't have defence. We didn't have Nicole Aiken (on leave due to recent marriage) and Nardia Brown is injured. It's only after we moved Marsha to defence that we pushed them out of the game."

Jamalco started with Davis in the goal shooter's position, and her 100 per cent conversion rate was mainly responsible for their 18-14 lead after the first break. Aiken then came on from the bench in the second quarter, but Mico's Kimone Tulluch, the goal keeper, was sterling against Aiken, who muffed a few.

The combination of Buckle and Carradice was at its most lethal at the other end, and the contest was left on a knife edge with Jamalco leading 26-25 at half-time.

Davis returned in the third quarter, but this time to goal attack and, in tandem with Romelda Aiken, allowed the champions to outscore Mico and restore the four-goal lead from the first quarter. Murphy's critical role in the final quarter, ensured no further Mico resurgence.

Windalco had earlier topped the third-place play-off, beating Holmwood Technical 63-58.