'This is one of the best games we've played'

NEWTON, Singapore:

Jamaica's captain Nadine Bryan was very impressed with their 79-42 victory over Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago in the Mission Foods World Netball Championships (WNC) yesterday, saying it was a clear indication of the team's growing confidence at the tournament.

The Jamaicans were recording their fourth consecutive win of the championships, which is schedule to end tomorrow with the final.

Bryan, who is playing in her third consecutive WNC, told The Gleaner that despite the margin of victory, they had to work really hard to win because the Trinidad and Tobago team played really hard.

"I think that this is one of the best games that we have played so far in this competition because all our areas of play worked out well for us," said the-33-year-old Bryan, who represents Jamalco in the Jamaica Netball Association Berger Paints Super League.

'Hard-fought game'

"I think it was a hard-fought game from us ... I expected them (Trinidad and Tobago) to come out rough, we were not taking them lightly," Bryan said. "We know they are a very physical team and so we knew we had to come out and play really hard for this victory."

The Jamaicans, who are seeking their first hold on the WNC title, won the bronze medal at the last championships, which was held in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2007.

The Oberon Pitterson-coached team was scheduled to oppose defending champions Australia in the semi-final in the wee hours of the morning at 4:45. Bryan was quite optimistic that the girls would have done well.

"I think that the team is getting better with every game that we play, and I am quite confident that we can do well against the Australians on Saturday," said Bryan. "We know we have to adjust our game because Australia is a much quicker team than Trinidad, with a lot of experience and so we know that it is going to be a very tough game, but I am expecting us to come out and perform well," Bryan stated.

- Robert Bailey