Robert Bailey, Freelance Reporter

Tivoli's Cleopatra Grant and Jamalco's Romelda Aiken- File Photos

Defending champions Tivoli Gardens 'A' put their title on the line against Jamalco in today's final of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA)/Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Open League, at the Leila Robinson Courts, starting at 5:15 p.m.

Besides the Open League Trophy and medals for its representatives, the winning team will earn $50,000.

In the final of the Consolation Knock-Out, which has a first place cash prize worth $18,000, Police 'A' will battle Tivoli Gardens 'B' at 3:30 p.m.

Tivoli Gardens 'A' defeated Waulgrovians 'A' 34-28 in the semi-finals last weekend, while Jamalco eased past Windalco 33-16 in the other semi-final.

Competitive encounter

Sylvester Campbell, coach of Tivoli Gardens, says he is expecting a competitive encounter from his opponents.

"It is going to be very good," said Campbell. "As you know Jamalco have all-round depth. They have five national players and this in itself tells you about the quality of the team that we are going up against. "However, we are the defending champions and we have been playing pretty well at the moment, so we have to ensure that we take care of the ball whenever we go on the attack and then put some strong defence in mid-court.

"Tomorrow (today) will be just another day at work for us and you can only expect us to do what we have been doing for the past couple of weeks, and that is playing good, attractive netball."

Experienced players

The west Kingston team will be relying heavily on the likes of inspirational goal shooter Cleopatra Grant, national representative and goal defence Kasey Evering, centre Peta-Gaye Thomas, goal attack Jodi-Ann French and goal keeper Sabrina Spence.

Jamalco, champions of the Berger Paints Senior League, will be seeking their second silverware of the season as earlier they copped the Open Rally crown.

"The Tivoli Gardens team has a lot of depth in their squad and they are not going to lay down and give us this trophy," said Winston Nevers, coach of Jamalco. "Our aim is to go out there and play some positive netball on both offence and defence and make sure that we capitalise on their mistakes."

Jamalco will rest their hopes in the hands of national representatives, goal shooter Romelda Aiken, centre Nadine Bryan, goal defence Nicole Aiken and wing attack Kerry-Ann Brown.