Action in the Supreme Ventures final of the A and C league Netball at the National Arena on Saturday, May 26. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

Molynes United and Friendship are the 2007 Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) Supreme Ventures A and C League champions respectively, following victories in the finals over Jetsetters C and Alpha A on Saturday at the National Arena.

In the opening game Friendship, led by ace goal shooter Ladonna Lamont (25 goals from 32 attempts), defeated Jetsetters C 28-19, while Molynes United beat Alpha 49-39 in the other final.

By virtue of the victories, Molynes United have now been promoted to the Super League, while Friendship will play in the Supreme Ventures A League.

Molynes United, led by former national Under-16 goal shooter Christina Salmon (43 goals from 44 tries), dominated the match from the opening whistle and led 26-15 at half-time.

Adjustments

Coach Dwight Sutherland made a number of adjustments to his team at the start of third quarter, which quickly paid off as they reduce the deficit to seven at the end of the period at 35-28.

However, they were dealt a big blow midway the fourth quarter as they lost the services of inspirational centre court player Rosemarie Smith after she collided with Salmon and was taken to the hospital.

After the accident, Molynes United stepped up their defence, which resulted in a number of crucial turnovers by Alpha, and coasted home to a comfortable victory.

Salmon received main support from goal attack Odetta Harris (five goals from seven attempts).

Vanessa Walker was the top shooter for Alpha with 35 goals from 46 attempts.

Roy Price, coach of Molynes United, was delighted with their victory.

Elated

"I am really elated because we lost out in the finals last year. But we went back and prepared ourselves for this 0year's competition because we worked and trained hard and this is the result, a victory for us," said Price.

He added: "After Alpha made that run in the third, I wasn't nervous at all because I told the girls that we are going to lead and teams are going to come back at you, so just keep your composure and they did just that."

Sutherland said he felt let down by his team's effort.

"I am very disappointed," said Sutherland. "We have come a long way and to fall at the final hurdle, it's hard.

"But we tried hard. We got into a little hole at the start of the game and the way their shooters were shooting the ball they were unstoppable," said Sutherland.

"We were making a rally when our player got hurt and when she had to come off the entire game changed again, but congratulation to Molynes because they played well."