By Charmaine Austin, Staff Reporter
Jamaica's centre Sharon Wiles (background) and England's centre Karen Aspinall going for the ball during yesterday's exciting netball contest at GC Foster College. England won 51-47. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
WORLD NUMBER three England clipped number four Jamaica 51-47 in an exciting netball encounter at GC Foster College yesterday afternoon.
In a match where the action went from end to end, the English team, playing some disciplined netball, scored three times before the Jamaicans got off the mark. The local girls, however, turned in a spirited spell to level the score at 4-4 and then 7-7 before ending the first quarter in the lead at 12-9.
Shooters Carla Williams and Connie Francis, mid-court players Nadine Bryan, Sharon Wiles and Nichala Gibson, and defenders Oberon Pitterson and Nadine Ffrench made up Jamaica's starting team and they combined well to keep England at bay for long periods.
REGAINED THE LEAD
England equalised early in the second quarter and regained the lead at 14-13. With the action nicely balanced, however, the lead changed hands regularly as England enjoyed a two-goal lead at 17-15 before Jamaica, with sturdy defending, made it 20-19 in their favour.
Jamaica maintained the advantage, and at half time led 26-24.
England were not to be outdone, however, and the team of Alex Astle, Abby Teare, Tracey Neville, Karen Aspinall, Amanda Newton, Sonia Mkoloma and Janet Coulburne demonstrated that even though it was a practice match, they meant business.
Jamaica made some changes to its starting line-up by introducing Kasey Evering at goal keep, Tiffannie Wolfe at goal attack, and moving Nadine Bryan from wing attack to centre.
CHANGES HAD LITTLE EFFECT
The changes had very little effect on Jamaica's performance, however, as England scored 15 goals to Jamaica's 11 to lead 39-37 at the end of the third quarter.
With another 15 minutes left in the game, England teased Jamaica mercilessly and romped to a five-goal lead of 46-41.
Jamaica made a couple changes with Ffrench re-introduced in defence and Wolfe replacing Francis in the shooting circle, this time they proved effective, and within minutes Jamaica cut the lead to one at 47-46.
England relied on disciplined play, however, and with some accurate conversions from Teare and Astle, eased to a four-goal victory.
Williams scored 42 of 47 attempts, Francis four of six, and Wolfe one of two for Jamaica while Astle converted 26 of 43 and Teare 25 of 31 for England.
