Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

MANY-TIME champions Crystal rolled back the clock in dramatic style at the Montego Bay Cricket Club Courts on Sunday night when they defeated Angels 33-27 in a bruising final to crown themselves the 2007 St. James/Hart & Son Senior League netball champions.

With the scheduled third and fourth place play-off between Blazers and outgoing champions Kings called off belatedly, the final more than made up for the non-playing of that game, as the fans were treated to a tough and exciting contest.

"We basically went out there and used our experience to good effect against the youngsters," said Gina Haughton, who had a brilliant game for the Crystal team at wing attack. "It was really a lot of fun out there and it is nice to be champions again," she said.

The game started with Crystal team looking the more composed of the sides. However, after the early assault by their goal attack Rita Spence and goal shooter Kedesha Powell, they slackened off somewhat and Angels bounced back, resulting in an 8-7 first-quarter lead for Crystal.

Game got physical

In the second quarter, the game got quite physical with goal defence Suzette Virgo forcing back the Angels with her robust play, which left a few of her opponents nursing bruises. With Spence holding her own under the hoop, Crystal went into the half-time break with a 20-13 lead.

The third quarter saw Angels bounce back and look ominous with Nicole Fletcher, who had 25 goals, gradually erasing Crystal's first-half advantage almost on her own. Angels ended the third quarter trailing 25-21.

The final quarter was full of action as while Spence and Powell, who finished with six goals, were almost flawless under the hoop for Crystal, Fletcher was left to hunt almost on her own as her usually reliable partner, Bridgette Brown, suffered an injury to her mouth and was less than effective.

Widen the lead

Towards the end of the game, Crystal gradually began to widen the lead and when the final whistle came, they were ahead 33-27.

Instead of the usual congratulatory handshakes after the game, several players exchanged blows and insults before calm was restored.

The winning Crystal team was: Kedesha Powell (GS), Rita Spence (GA), Gina Haughton (WA), Suzette Grigg (Centre), Shereen Brown (WD), Suzette Virgo (GD) and Sharon Woodstock (GK).