Tivoli look to seal title

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Tivoli Gardens 'A' will be aiming to wrap up the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA)/Berger Paints Super League best-of-three finals series against defending champions Jamalco when they meet in game two at the Leila Robinson Courts today, starting at 5:45 p.m.

The west Kingston-based team leads the series 1-0 following their exciting 42-40 win over Jamalco on Saturday.

Sylvester Campbell, coach of Tivoli, who last won the title in 1998, said his team is confident of winning today's game.

"I am confident of a victory because we just need to do what we did tonight on Monday (today) or even beef it up a bit more. We should be able to win by a bit more goals," said Campbell.

"I am very happy with our performance because I think that it was pretty good and we just need to build on this for game two on Monday," he added.

Winston Nevers, coach of Jamalco, who were also beaten in game one of last year's finals, when they faced Waulgrovians, is also confident his team can rebound in today's game.

"We are used to things like this because last year it was the same thing we faced and as long as we shoot right through the game then I know that we are going to win on Monday," said Nevers after Saturday night's match.

The match was played in front of a capacity crowd. Both teams traded basket for basket in the first segment, which resulted in a 22-22 scoreline at half-time.

However, the introduction by shooter Cleopatra Grant by Campbell midway the second period, for national player Kasey Evering, quickly paid off for Tivoli in the third period, as they extended their lead to 29-24, with three minutes remaining in the quarter.

Jamalco rallied in the final moments of quarter to close the deficit, but Tivoli led 32-30.

Grant, who was enjoying one of her best scoring performances on the season, brought the spectators to their feet in the fourth stanza, as she combined with centre Peter-Gaye Thomas and goal attack Jodian Ffrench to mesmerise Jamalco's defence with swift, one-two passing. In the process, they knocked the wind out of the champions as Jamalco failed to recover.

Spirited rally

The Tivoli team, which was very solid in all areas on the court, pushed their advantage to 40-36 with less than four minutes remaining.

Jamalco, seeking to win the title for the their eighth straight occasion, refused to go away and made a spirited rally. However, it was little too late as Tivoli hung on for the win.

Grant ended the match with 26 goals from 36 attempts, while Ffrench sank 10 goals from 11 tries.

Elaine Davis, who had poor shooting night for Jamalco, was the game's top scorer with 29 goals from 42 attempts. Captain Marsha Murphy hit 11 goals from 17 tries.

"...We played in patches today and our shooters were a bit off and we also turned the ball over a lot in the third quarter and (this) caused us to lose the game," Nevers said.

"I think Tivoli wanted it more than us and so they played well enough to come out on top."