By Eugene Majuru at Copperbox Arena.
London, England. (News of The South) – A supercharged Jamaica line up took the lead and maintained it to win the Nations Cup game played in London on Saturday. Jamaica won by 70 goals to England’s 66.
Jamaica were focused on the game and determined to get the much needed win but England came all guns blazing fighting left right and centre.
The third quarter of the game belonged to Jamaica’s sunshine girls who increased their lead by 14 goals. Shooter Jhanielle was in top form and her shots were on target as England’s defenders struggled to mark her. Latanya Wilson and Shamera’s turnover all was effective with Fowler helping to increase the lead.
England however came to the last quarter ready for a serious battle as they fought every second and narrowed the goal difference. The hone crowd were at their best cheering and urging the Vitality roses to fight on.
England coach Jess Thirlby said ” ’m super impressed, I asked for them to play final 15 minutes as a match within itself and close the gap,” Thirlby said.
“They certainly responded to that but you can’t give a team like Jamaica a lead like that, it’s very difficult to close down but what an effort.
“We only lost the first two quarters by four goals and I think we actually won a lot of ball in that opening quarter against the tower that is Jhaniele Fowler.
“I was actually impressed that we did that but I think we know that throughout the journey this week, we need to keep minimising our errors and need to reward those turnovers.
Thirlby made strategic changes in the 4th quarter which saw Eleanor Cardwell at goal attack and George Fisher move to Goal shooter. The changes made great impact which saw England with a great comeback to the game.
England however came to the last quarter ready for a serious battle as they fought every second and narrowed the goal difference. The hone crowd were at their best cheering and urging the Vitality roses to fight on.
Jamaica managed to hold on to the win and will face World champions New Zealand at a game to be played at Copperbox Arena at 5pm Sunday.
Meanwhile South Africa play against England in the 3rd and 4th playoffs to be played Sunday.
Jamaica’s Coach Connie Francis who has only been with the team for three months was very impressed with the team’s performance.
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