Adrian Frater, News Editor
Grand Lido Braco's Odette Jones (second from left) recieves the GraceKennedy Hotel Netball Trophy from Roxanne Brown (second from right) following her team's win against St. Ann Bauxite in Saturday's final at the Montego Bay Cricket Club in MoBay. Looking on are members of the victorious team. Grand Lido Braco won 46-41. - Adrian Frater photo
Western Bureau:
Grand Lido Braco ended their brilliant season in the 2006 Grace All-Island Hotel Netball League in fine style when they defeated St. Ann Bauxite 46-41 in Saturday night's final, which was played at the Montego Bay Cricket Club Courts in St. James.
"We played an excellent game today and I believe we are deserving champions," said Odette Jones, captain of Grand Lido. "We invested a lot of time in our preparation because we were anxious to do well so we are extremely happy."
With a generous sprinkling of national players on both teams, it was all excitement from the opening whistle as Grand Lido went about seizing the initiative through sizzling front line play by Simone Forbes, who scored all 14 goals in the team's good 14-8 first quarter lead.
St. Ann Bauxite stormed back in the second quarter, outscoring Grand Lido 12-10 as Romelda Aiken, who scored 31 goals, battled bravely to keep her team in contention. However, despite being outscored in the quarter, Grand Lido went into the half-time break with a close 24-20 lead.
With Forbes, who scored a game-high 32 goals, turning in an inspired performance and her teammate Jodi-Ann French finding her range, Grand Lido romped the third quarter, outscoring the bauxite team 13-9 to move into the final quarter with an imposing 37-29 lead.
Ding-dong affair
In the final quarter, it was a ding-dong affair as St. Ann Bauxite through Kim Sterling, Latoya Thomas and Aiken made a bold bid to get back into the game. However - with French, who scored 15 goals in that period - proving the perfect foil for the energetic Forbes, Grand Lido remained in control, winning the quarter 13-12 for their final 46-41 margin of victory.
"It was a fantastic final and as sponsors, we are extremely pleased," said Roxanne Brown, GraceKennedy's marketing representative. "We must commend the organisers and the teams for what was an excellent competition."
