Lights out for Sunshine Girls

Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

The World's number three ranked England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-test series against Jamaica's Sunshine Girls, following a nail-biting 46-45 victory over the hosts at the National Indoor Sports Centre last night.

The Jamaicans, who were thrashed 52-32 by the English in the series opening game on Monday, will be seeking to at least end the series on winning note when they tackle their opponents in final game today at the same venue, starting at 6:00 p.m.

Both teams are using the series as part of their preparation for the World Championships, which will be held in Auckland, New Zealand, in November. This will also be the last competitive series for both sides.

More energy

Still battered and bruised from Monday night's heavy defeat, the Sunshine Girls began the game with more energy than they did in the game one, they even converted the first four points of the game before the English had their first point.

However, the red and white clad foreigners rallied strongly midway the quarter eventually tying the game at 12-12 by the end of the period.

Playing in front of a capacity crowd, the Jamaicans came into the second quarter firing, and quickly opened up a 15-12 lead midway the period. however, the English with their quick off the ball movement and defensive stops quickly erased the deficit as the took a 24-20 lead by half-time.

The English, led by goal shooter Louisa Brownfield's 26 goals from 35 tries, and Pamela Cookey's 20 from 24, maintained their advantage throughout the third and ended the quarter with a 33-30 lead.

However, the Sunshine Girls stepped up their game midway the fourth period, to reduce the deficit to 45-46 with less than a minute remaining, but England had the ball for the final possession and hung on for victory. Captain Elaine Davis 24 from 26 attempts and Simone Forbes 21 from 25 led the scoring for Jamaica.

The starting line-up was bolstered by the return of centre Sharon Wiles and captain Davis, who didn't figure much in game one.

Coach pleased

Connie Francis, coach of Jamaica, was pleased with her team's performance.

"I am very comfortable with the team's performance," said Francis. "We are starting look like a World Championship competitors, we started to look very focused and positive. Each girl came and knew their job and their role."

Francis added, "Our defensive units were doing well in terms of making interceptions and I thought that they all gave us more than a hundred per cent tonight." she said

Margaret Caldow coach of England said.

"We knew that Jamaica would bounce back, we had that experience before, when we came here a couple of years ago," she said.

"We were fully aware of what was coming. We knew that they would come out very determined, because they would not want to lose the game.

"However, we were prepared for it and I am very pleased that they played like that.

"This is what we are here for, to be challenged, to be tested, we don't want to be winning by twenty goals, that is not going to help us," she concluded.