Jamaica's Sunshine Girls shooting for sweep

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's Sunshine Girls will be seeking to sweep archrivals England in their three-Test Supreme Ventures Sunshine Series, when both square off in today's final game at the National Indoor Sports Centre, starting at 5 p.m.

The Connie Francis-coached Sunshine Girls clinched the series on Thursday, following another thrilling and exciting victory -- 55-53 - in Game Two.

On Tuesday, the Jamaicans recorded a nail-biting 57-56 win in Game One.

Connie Francis, who has never registered a win against the English in a three-Test series since being installed as head coach of the Sunshine Girls over five years ago, said a victory today would mean a lot to her and her players.

"The aim is to win tomorrow's game and that is what we are seeking to do because in my five years as the coach of the national team, I have never beaten them in a series and so this is really special to me," said Francis, a former captain and top-notch shooter for the Sunshine Girls, yesterday.

confidence booster

Francis stated that these recent victories over England, who are ranked one place above them at number three in the world, will certainly lift the confidence of the Sunshine Girls ahead of the World Netball Championships, which will be held in Singapore in July.

"It will be a morale booster for us going into the World Championships, because it will certainly lift the confidence of the players," Francis said.

"They have worked really hard to achieve these wins and also to impress the selectors, who will be selecting a 12-member World Championships squad after this series is finished," Francis noted.

Goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler, who had a good game for Jamaica in Game Two, when she netted 53 goals from 63 attempts, will lead the charge to victory.

Fowler is expected to receive support from fellow shooter Ann-Kay Griffiths, wing attack Nadine Bryan, centre Paula Thompson, while, in the backcourt, defenders Nicole Aiken-Pinnock and Althea Byfield, who have played a pivotal role in the two victories, will be looking to limit England's shooting.

Meanwhile, England's coach Sue Hawkins said her team must improve its shooting percentage to enhance their chances of winning in what has been a very tight series.

"We will be looking at scoring a few more goals, because I think that we should have converted a few more, and we also need to take care of the ball and not give it away too easily," said Hawkins, following her team's defeat on Thursday night.

In that game, Louise Brownfield, with 35 goals from 38 attempts, and Pamela Cookey, 15 from 20, were the main scorers for England.