Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Tivoli Gardens 'B' Goal Shoot Shakesha Williams (centre) has her hands tied up by Skibo 'B' goal keeper Tamika Goulbourne (partly hidden) as they tussle for the ball during their JNA/JN Open League netball match at the Leila Robinson Courts, National Stadium Complex on Thursday night. Looking on are Tivoli's goal attack Patricia Chambers (left) and Kera Christie (right). Tivoli 'B' won 29-23.

Carolyn Johnson, Freelance Writer

Tivoli 'B' and Jetsetters 'B' were among the teams that got early Christmas presents on Thursday evening, leaving the Leila Robinson courts victorious after wins in their matches in the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) Jamaica National (JN) Open League competition.

Tivoli 'B' beat Skibo 'B' 29-23, while Ravens 'C' fell 17-26 to Jetsetters 'B'.

"It's Open League and you get to know of skill level. [Skibo] played well, Tivoli did well. We just tried combinations to see how they would play in situations to see if they are equipped and mentally ready," Chris Campbell Tivoli's coach, said after the contest.

"It was a good match, just looking at match up of players, they played up to expectations. They played well, they were very nervous because they were playing a big team, Tivoli is a stronger team," said Wayne Stewart, coach of Skibo 'B'.

Hard training

Nicole Russell, captain of Jetsetters 'B' attributed their win to hard training, better passes and swifter attacking.

"Overall I don't think it was a hard game for us. We have good players, the other team played well, physically they were well," Russell said.

"Well, it was a good game we know we played at our best," said Hillary Fearon, captain of Ravens 'C'. She says they lost their match in the attacking area as "that's where we had most of our turnovers".

Other scores were: Marverley 31 Jamaica Fire Brigade 23, Alexander Strikers 22 Progressive Strikers 20, Torrington Park 31 Ebony Strikers 'B' 25, and Arnett Gardens 31 Waulgrovians 'B' 21.

The Open League will resume next year with 24 matches scheduled for play on Saturday, January 6.