Romelda Aiken

Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

Seven quarter-finalists will be decided today in the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA)/Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Open League at the Leila Robinson Courts.

The teams are hoping to join Tivoli 'A' who won Group F following their 63-7 whipping of Hellshire United on Thursday.

In the day's feature game starting at 3:40 p.m., former champions, Jamalco, will meet Alpha 'A' in the Group C decider. Jamalco lead the group with 18 points, three more than Alpha who have a game in hand.

"We are very confident that we can win this top-of-the-table clash," said Winston Nevers, coach of Jamalco. "We always think about winning all the time because we are not going to take them lightly.

"We know that Alpha is a good team because they have a number of present and former national players, and they also have a national coach, so we know that we are going up against a good team."

The Clarendon based-team will be depending on the likes of national goal shooter Romelda Aiken, centre Nadine Bryan, and goal defence ,Nicole Aiken.

Play tight defence

Dwight Sutherland, manager of Alpha, said: "We will be going up against the number-one team in the country, with also the number-one goal shooter in Romelda Aiken. We will have to try and play tight defence from the mid-court because once the ball reaches the hands of Aiken, it is all over. We will just have to try to give our best shot because we have never beaten them before."

Alpha's hopes will rest in the hands of goal shooter Vanessa Walker and goal defence Dacia Barnes.

In the Group A decider at 6:10 p.m., Windalco, who are on 18 points will take on second place Skibo 'B' who are on 15 points and have a game in hand.

In Group D, starting at 5:20 p.m., leaders Tivoli Gardens 'B', with 15 points, will be up against second-place Speg, who are 12 points. A win for Tivoli 'B' will guarantee them a place in the quarter-finals.

At 6:10 p.m., Molynes United and Blades United are tied for first place in Group E with 15 points and a win for either team will see them advancing.

Over in Group G, starting at 4:30 p.m., leaders Ravens 'A' (15 points) will take on second-place Waulgrovians 'A' (12), who have a game in hand. At 7:00 p.m., Police 'A' and Arnett Gardens are tied for first place on 12 and the winner will advance.

The runners-up in each group will take part in the consolation knock-out competition.