Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
Jamaica's Under-21 goal shoot Romelda Aiken in action during a game from a three-Test friendly series against Australia at the National Indoor Sports Centre on March 13, 2005. - FILE
JAMAICA ARE aiming to topple Canada this afternoon in their march to top Pool B of the World Youth Netball Championship (WYNC).
The young Sunshine Girls will take on the Canadians at 2:45 p.m. local time inside the Broward County Convention Centre in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Jamaica on Saturday brushed aside South Africa 48-37 and are expected to qualify as the top team in Pool E of the second round.
After the Canadians, Jamaica will go on to play against hosts the United States in their final Pool B match.
The Canadians are not expected to provide too many problems for Jamaica after being beaten 48-10 by South Africa.
HUNDRED PER CENT ACCURACY
Against South Africa, Canada's starting goal shoot Claire Hope had to suffer the ignominy of not scoring after six attempts. Her replacement, Aimee Tannahil, shot with 100 per cent accuracy and is likely to get a start against Jamaica's goal keep Nicole Aiken and goal defence Tameka Stewart.
At goal defence, the Canadians have Carolyn Churchland and alongside her at goal keep is Sasha Allen. The duo will be asked to do much more against Romelda Aiken and Latoya Thomas, who are taller and more intimidating than the South Africans.
On Saturday, Jamaica followed up their imposing 98-6 victory over Bermuda on Friday with another good result, topping their only real group threats South Africa by 11 goals.
Jamaica recovered from a tame start to win handily. South Africa led the first quarter 11-7, but the Jamaican 'Sunshine Girls' went on a 16-8 run in the second period to lead 23-19 at the half and stayed ahead 30-27 at the end of the third quarter.
STEPPED UP A GEAR
The Jamaicans, runners-up to Australia at the last WYNC in Cardiff five years ago, stepped up a gear in the last quarter and secured a clear win with an 18-10 run as their tall 16-year-old marvel Aiken led the way.
After the game, the Jamaica coach Joan Cargill told reporters that trailing early in the game was no bother for her girls.
"We don't have a problem with being down. They have been trained how to come back. They went out there, and they knew they had a job to do," Cargill said.
Aiken sank 40 goals from 48 tries and Latoya Thomas added eight goals from 11 attempts.
Claudia Bassone shot 33 goals for South Africa.
