Tivoli's goal shooter, Cleopatra Grant (right), catches the ball ahead of Jamalco's Neekeesha Connolly during their JNA Berger Paints Super League match on Tuesday night at the National Arena. Jamalco won 56-41. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Jamalco and Waulgrovians will meet today in game one of the best-of-three finals of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) Berger Paints Super League at the Leila Robinson Courts at 6:00 p.m.

In Tuesday's semi-finals, undefeated Jamalco defeated Tivoli 56-41 while Waulgrovians A beat Windalco 51-33.

Corla Williams led the way for Waulgrovians with 22 goals from 26 attempts and received good support from Simone Forbes, 19 goals from 22 tries. Diane Millwood (27 goals from 46 tries) was the top shooter for Windalco. Winston Nevers, coach of Jamalco, is sure his team will defend its title. "We are very confident," said Nevers, whose team is seeking its fifth consecutive crown.

"We are playing good, high-class netball at the moment. We just have make sure we contain Waulgrovians throughout each quarter and we will win the game," he said.

In reference to the game against Tivoli, Nevers said: "It was a good disciplined team game today (Tuesday).

"I was very confident but I know that Tivoli are a very strong team and they have a good coach," he said.

Simone Forbes, captain of Waulgrovians, said she was expecting a tough game from the defending champs.

"I think we have an equal chance of winning the games," said Forbes, who is the national goal attack. "We are a good team with past and present national players, so it should be a very exciting match-up."

Defence

In the semi between Jamalco and Tivoli, the first quarter was evenly contested with Tivoli leading 14-12 at the end of the period.

However, Jamalco stepped up their defence in the second quarter, which resulted in a number of turnovers by their opponents and they took a 29-23 lead in to the half-time break.

Jamalco continued their dominance over the west Kingston side in the third quarter as they outscored them 16-10 for a 45-33 lead.

Former national Under-19 representative and goal shooter Romelda Aiken led the way for Jamalco with 46 goals from 53 attempts as Jamalco coasted home to victory in the fourth period. Aiken received good support from Marsha Murphy (seven goals from nine tries).

Cleopatra Grant (39 goals from 43 attempts) was the top shooter for Tivoli.

Kasey Evering, vice-captain of Tivoli, said: "We went out there with the intention to win the game. We went out hard in the first half, but unfortunately things got worse for us in the third and fourth quarters. "I guess we were a bit tired because we weren't really fit but nonetheless we went out there and gave it our best," she said.