Sunshine Girls look to level series

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's Sunshine Girls will be hoping to level their three-Test Supreme Ventures Sunshine Series against the world's number-one ranked side Australia, when both teams square off in game two today at the National Indoor Sports Centre, starting at 7:30 p.m.

The Australians lead 1-0 following their easy 63-51 win over the Jamaicans in Wednesday's opening game at the same venue. However, despite their loss, head coach Connie Francis said she is expecting a much better performance from her girls in today's encounter.

"I think that everything is working for us but when it comes down to the attacking third, we need to take better care of the ball," said Francis, following Wednesday's defeat.

"I think that as long as we take better care of the ball and get more rebounds we should be in it and so it should be a better series," said Francis, whose team is ranked three places below the Australians.

Ace goal shooter Romelda Aiken, with 22 goals from 28 attempts, was the top scorer for the Jamaicans in game one. Team captain and goal attack Simone Forbes supported well with 20 from 22, while Jhaniele Fowler netted a perfect nine goals from nine tries.

Could win today's game

Francis added that if her players perform according to her instructions and close down the Australians early and score off their centre passes, they should be able to win today's game.

"I also think that we need to get more balls into our shooters because they are shooting extremely well, and if we do this, then should be able to come out on top," Francis said.

Australia's coach, Norma Plummer, said she is expecting a much tougher game from the Jamaicans because her team was outplayed by their opponents in some areas during Wednesday's contest.

"I think that it will be an absolute blinder in game two," said Plummer. "I think that we have some areas that were exposed and we will have to address them. I think that we can check that out and see if we can come up with a different attack for game two." She added: "I am sure that Jamaica will also be doing something different because they were in the game the whole way."

Captain Sharelle McMahon netted 32 goals from 38 attempts for the Australians in their game one win, and she, along with Natalie Medhurst, who scored 15 goals from 22 tries, and Catherine Cox, 16 goals from 26 attempts, will lead the Diamonds' charge for victory.