By Charmaine Austin, Staff Reporter
Jamaica's Simone Forbes (left) controls the ball ahead of New Zealand's Anna Veronese during yesterday's final Test at the National Arena. New Zealand won 44-42. - Dennis Coke /Staff Photographer
TIME WAS not on Jamaica's side last night as they lost the international netball Test series to New Zealand 2-1 at a packed National Arena.
New Zealand won the final game 44-42 and had taken the first 46-44. Jamaica won the second 53-44.
Three minutes remained on the clock when New Zealand umpire Kirsten Lloyd alerted table officials that the 15 minutes had expired - by her watch.
No one but her realised this.
Confused fans stormed the official scoring table demanding an explanation but none was forthcoming.
"I myself don't even know what happened," one official said as the others debated among themselves where the time could have gone without their noticing it.
Too late however, as the game was blown off and New Zealand celebrated their two-goal win.
Before the mystery, a heated contest ensued on-court as world No. 2 ranked New Zealand and the inexperienced Jamaicans waged a war of skill.
Jamaica led 5-3 early in the game but consistency was not a part of their game plan and pretty soon New Zealand pulled level at 5-5.
The score remained tied up to 8-8 but stout defending and accurate shooting gave the Silver Ferns a 14-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Jamaica potted two consecutive baskets to trail 14-13 but that, for New Zealand, was too close for comfort and they pulled away to lead by five goals 25-20.
The lead remained in their favour at halftime with the "defective" scoreboard reading 26-22.
It was a rejuvenated Jamaica side which turned out in the third quarter and rallied to tie at 32-32.
Numerous turnovers, particular in attack and the shooting circle, gave the visitors the break they needed to secure a 38-35 lead at the end of the penultimate period.
Despite their relative inexperience, the young Jamaicans matched their opponents goal for goal but faltered each time they came close enough to equalise.
At the end, they were left two goals behind - and confused.
Captain Elaine Davis scored 22 of 31 attempts while goal attack Simone Forbes netted 20 of 26 tries.
For New Zealand, Irene Van Dyk converted 32 of 36 baskets while Donna Loffhagen sunk 12 of 13 attempts.
"It was a pretty good game," Jamaica's coach Maureen Hall said.
"We had the opportunity in the last five minutes to even the score but we couldn't convert. The players surpassed my expectations. For them to come out and perform this well given the circumstances is really commendable," she said.
New Zealand's coach Ruth Aitken, who came under fire after the Ferns' loss on Sunday, was elated.
"It was a great game. Jamaica looked good. They are a proud team and we knew they would be playing to win but we put pressure on them, particularly on the shooters, and it worked out for us," she said.
