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Tivoli, Jamalco hunt title

Published:Saturday | February 5, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Jamalco's Nadine Bryan (left) catches the ball ahead of the Tivoli pair of Sabrina Spence (right) and Peter-Gaye Thomas during the final of the JNA/JNBS Fastnet final at the National Stadium Courts last week Saturday, which Jamalco won 32-27. Both teams will contest the Open League final this afternoon. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

A pulsating contest is expected today when Jamalco oppose Tivoli Gardens 'A' in the final of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA)/Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Open League netball competition at the Leila Robinson Courts, starting at 5 p.m.

In the curtain-raiser at 4 p.m., the University of the West Indies and Mico will meet in the B League final.

The Winston Nevers-coached Jamalco, who last won the title in 2007, booked their place through an exciting 28-24 win over sister-team Windalco in the semi-finals.

The Clarendon-based Jamalco will enter today's match full of confidence, following their 32-27 victory over Tivoli in the final of the Fastnet Championships last Saturday.

Captain, top shooter out

However, Jamalco will be without their top shooter, Romelda Aiken, who is now in New Zealand with the Queensland Firebirds, along with their captain, Marsha Murphy, who is injured.

"We have lost our top shooter Romelda, who was instrumental in helping us winning the Fastnet last week, but despite this I am confident we can win this final," said Nevers.

"Tivoli is a good all-round team and their shooting area, I think, is a bit stronger than ours and so this gives them the edge over us at this end of the court.

"I think it is going to be a very exciting game, but I believe that the team that wants it the most will come out on top," added Nevers.

Former national goal shooter Elaine Davis is expected to fill the void left by Aiken, while Naudia Brown will replace Murphy at goal attack. National players Nadine Bryan, Althea Byfield, Tameika Sherwood and Sasher-Gaye Henry are also expected to lead Jamalco's charge for victory.

raring to go

Tivoli, who last won the trophy in 2008, secured their place in the final with a 36-32 win over defending champions Waulgrovians, and Sylvester Campbell, coach of Tivoli, said his players are ready and raring to go.

"We are eager to win this competition because it has been two years now since we have won this trophy," said Campbell. "Our girls are prepared to go out there and play their hearts out to win this game."

He added: "We intend to be strong in attack and minimise our turnovers, and I believe once we do this then we should be able to come out victorious.

"The girls are confident and they are ready for Jamalco tomorrow because our preparation going into this game has been great."

Tivoli will be depending heavily on the likes of former national players Oberon Pitterson, Cleopatra Grant, Peter-Gaye Thomas and Jodi-Ann Ffrench-Kentish to lead their team to victory.