Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
Jamaica Under-21 goal attack Jodi-Ann French spots up to shoot while South Africa's goal keep, Adele Niemand, tries to make things difficult for her during Monday night's encounter. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
A VASTLY improved Jamaica Under-21 netball team takes on South Africa in the second of a two-match friendly series at the National Indoor Sports Centre this evening.
At 6:00 p.m., Jamaica, who haven't lost an international series since their 2-1 defeat to the New Zealand 'Silver Ferns' back in February are now beaming with confidence and looking a much better team.
In their first game against South Africa they won easily, 45-29, but must be wary of the dangers of complacency.
They have been doing well, they beat the number one ranked Australians in a tight series, had an easy victory against England and didn't had too much bother when they played against South Africa two nights ago.
However it was not long ago that they seemed an unsure bunch and were playing like a team not ready for the international stage.
PRIORITY
So ending their practice games for the World Youth Netball Championships in July on a high must be a priority tonight.
As a matter of fact, their coach, Joan Cargill, had said that they would be "going all-out" against the South Africans.
South Africa don't look a particularly strong side, but they can get on top of teams if they are allowed to.
Before coming to Jamaica the South Africans had a one-off game against Barbados where they came out 34-30 victors in what was their only bright spell since coming to the Caribbean.
In that game they proved that they have dangerous shooters if allowed freedom. Marli Lombard had 16 goals from 16 attempts, while Michelle Hess had 10 from 13. Claudia Basson had five from six and Tsakane Mbewe had three from four, which means the visitors were almost perfect inside the circle and lest we forget, their coach Carin Strauss had said: "We will work hard tomorrow and come back strong again because we had opportunities."
