Red-hot Crystal ease past Starlight

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Champions Crystal, who are aiming to make a clean sweep of all three titles in the 2011 Hunger Busta/Impact Auto St James Netball Association (StJNA) Senior League, extended their winning streak to five games when they defeated Starlight Juniors 47-16 in their Zone A game on Sunday.

Crystal, who have already won the competition's season opening rally and mid-season final, won all four quarters in yet another impressive display of attacking netball.

In the second game of a double-header at the Montego Bay Cricket Club courts, Blazers showed a lot of depth in knocking off the fancied Pacers 43-27, in another Zone A game. Interestingly, when the teams met in the first round, they had battled to a 33-33 tie.

In the opening game, in which players frequently changed playing positions, Crystal started out in full flight as they easily won the first quarter 11-3. They were even more forceful in the second quarter, which they took 16-1 for a big 27-4 half-time lead.

In the third quarter, the Crystal momentum dropped as the players began switching playing positions. However, they still won the quarter 8-6, to remain firmly on course for victory. The final quarter, which they won 12-6, was similar to the third.

Veteran shooter Rita Spence and the youthful Amayla Stewart did the damage for Crystal, scoring 16 and 10 goals, respectively. Teva Heavens was the only bright spark for Starlight Juniors, scoring five goals.

In the Pacers versus Blazers game, Pacers started out looking quite good as they won the first quarter 8-5, as the opponents struggled to come to grips with their pace. In the second quarter, Blazers took charge and looked good in taking it 14-10 to establish a close 19-18 half-time lead.

Blazers had the better of the third quarter as, with Pacers slowing down considerably, they easily took it 8-4. The final quarter was all Blazers as they went on a scoring spree, taking it by a big 17-6 margin for their overall 43-27 win.

Shadian Hemmings was the undisputed star for Blazers, scoring 36 goals. Georgia Reid and Shanice Rhodes, with eight and six goals, were the top scorers for Pacers.