Paul-Andre Walker, Staff ReporterJAMAICA'S UNDER-21 Sunshine Girls started their World Youth Netball Championship campaign with a bang, defeating lowly Bermuda 98-6 yesterday at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The destructive performance was brought about by a magnificent start when the Jamaicans ran out to a 30-1 lead.
While the offence was doing as it was expected with Romelda Aiken utilising her height to good effect and Peter-Gaye Thomas showing good movement and accurate passing skills, the Jamaicans also managed to get their defence on line quickly, crushing the Bermudan attacks into submission.
The Bermudans were held scoreless for the entire second quarter as the Jamaicans raced to a 50-1 lead.
The Jamaicans looked set to break the hundred goal barrier but slowed a little in the third quarter, as they allowed all 12 of their squad members playing time. Their defensive work slacked off a little and Bermuda, who, to their credit, never really gave up, grabbed four points in taking the score to 70-5.
The Jamaicans turned up the defence in the final quarter yet again and kept the Bermudans to one point.
Jamaica's start will give them tremendous confidence going into their group game against South Africa.
That match-up is expected to be their toughest assignment in the preliminary round. Jamaica defeated South Africa 2-0 in a two-Test series here in Kingston a month ago and will have a psychological advantage going into the game.
South Africa also made a winning start to their campaign in a 48-10 victory over Canada in an earlier game.Defending champions Australia also proved themselves to be in dominant form with a 70-12 win over Scotland.
