NETBALL

ENGLAND WORLD SERIES VICTORY DREAMS DASHED BY JAMAICA

Jamaica's Simone Forbes keeps possession in spite of a tough challenge from GD Sonia Mkoloma

Sunday October 11,2009

By Emily Garnham in Manchester

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(0)

JAMAICA today shattered England's chances of winning the World Netball Series, with a nail-biting body battle for the game.

After England's first win over Australia since the early Eighties, the World Series final was within reach.

But the home side's hopes were dashed in the semi-finals by the Sunshine Girls, who stormed to an unassailable lead after a highly physical on-court battle.

Power-play mode for both teams in the second quarter saw Jamaica clock up 18 points to a measly four for England - and the lead cost the home team a place in the final.

EXPRESS GALLERY: ALL THE ACTION FROM THE WORLD NETBALL SERIES!

Missed shots from England, coupled with accurate scoring by Simone Forbes and Romelda Aiken in the opposition's circle, swung the momentum of the game in Jamaica's favour.

England's Pamela Cookey is contacted by defender Sasha-Gay Lynch

Judging by boos from the vocal crowd, umpiring decisions by Sharon Kelly and Mandy Nottingham were highly unpopular - as a Jamaican out of court was missed, offsides went unnoticed and contact was not penalised.

A thrilling final quarter saw Jo Harten shooting from outside the circle in a bid to make up the 11-goal deficit, but the damage had been done and the 22-33 win put Jamaica in the final.

Jamaica coach Connie Francis told Express.co.uk: "We're in the finals! This has never happened to us before. This is our chance to enjoy the moment.

"Victory feels good. I never doubted my team. We have never played so confidently. Our team came today to play and give their best and they did it."

On her team's approach to the rules of Fast Net, she said: "We are accustomed to playing short, rally-type games so it's very familiar. The challenge for us was learning the rules and we do make mistakes."

Francis defended Jamaica's physical approach to the encounter with England.

She said: "If you look at Australia, New Zealand and England they do play with their bodies. I would say my team are strong and they contest hard. That's the difference.

The Sunshine Girls now face New Zealand, who beat world number ones Australia for a place in the final.

SCORES
England/Jamaica
Q1: 5-3
Q2: 9-21 (power play England and Jamaica)
Q3: 15-26
Q4: 22-33

STARTING LINE-UPS
England
Rachel Dunn (GS), Pamela Cookey (GA), Tamsin Greenway (WA), Jade Clark (C), Eboni Beckford-Chambers (WD), Geva Mentor (GD), Sonia Mkoloma (GK)

Jamaica
Romelda Aiken (GS), Simone Forbes (GA), Sasha-Gaye Henry (WA), Nadine Bryan (C), Paula Thompson (WD), Nicole Aiken (GD), Sasha-Gay Lynch (GK)