Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
Tivoloi's Cleopatra Grant (left) lines up a shot while being closely guarded by Jamalco's Nicole Aiken during last year's Berger Paints Super League final. Jamalco won 41-40. The fierce rivals will renew acquaintances in thiis year's best-of-three series which begins this evening at the Leila Robinson Courts in st. Andrew. - FILE
DEFENDING BERGER Paints Super League netball champions Jamalco will have revenge in their hearts when they take on perennial rivals Tivoli 'A' in the first game of the best-of-three finals at the Leila Robinson Courts today.
Jamalco will be aiming for their fourth consecutive lien on the trophy but still have one hour of netball against a dangerous Tivoli unit if they are to get closer to that dream.
Tivoli 'A' are the first team to defeat Jamalco in more than two years of competition, snapping a streak of dominance rivalled only by that of Waulgrovians 'A' and Vauxhall in the '80s and '90s.
REVENGE ENCOUNTER
Jamalco now need to prove that they are the team of the millennium by reversing their preliminary round loss to Tivoli.
"I don't want to say revenge but the girls do want to do well against Tivoli after they beat us," said Jamalco's coach, Winston Nevers, after his team got by Waulgrovians in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
According to Tivoli coach, Sylvester Campbell, the game should be a good one with the teams very closely matched.
"It will definitely be a good game on Friday. That match-up is usually the best one," said Campbell.
Speaking of match ups, there will be some enthralling battles when the teams meet today.
Firstly, there will be the battle between Cleopatra Grant and Nicole Aiken. Grant has been a thorn in the side of those teams wanting to stop her from scoring, but Aiken has the height and strength to deal with that. The only question is will the experience of Grant play a factor with Aiken still a toddler in terms of how much netball she has played?
TESTED SEVERELY
At goal attack for Tivoli, the diminutive Nikiesha Cohen has been earning a regular place in the starting line-up and she will be tested severely by the more physical presence of Jamalco's Naudia Brown at goal defence.
Of course, one of the most highly anticipated match-ups of the evening will be the clashes that are bound to take place when Jamalco's phenomenal goal shoot Romelda Aiken faces Kasey Evering and Nicole Henry in the Tivoli back line.
Tivoli also have to be wary of the movements of the extremely hard to pin down figure of Nadine Bryan at centre, who will be challenged by her national heir apparent, Peter-Gaye Thomas.
At wing Aatack, Meisha Reid has been playing some marvellous netball and represents a real advantage in the mid-court for Jamalco.
If Marion Campbell plays any part in the proceedings for Tivoli, she is expected to add some stability to their attack.
