Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's Romelda Aiken (right) tips the ball over the head of Trinidad and Tobago's Kemba Duncan during the opening match of the National Commercial Bank Sunshine Savers Tri-nation series at the National Indoor Sports Complex on Monday night. Jamaica won 59-30. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

CONNIE FRANCIS, coach of Jamaica's Sunshine Girls, said she was not satisfied with her team's 59-30 drubbing of Trinidad and Tobago in the opening match of the National Commercial Bank Sunshine Savers Tri-nation Series at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Monday night.

"I thought that we made too many unforced errors and we were also a bit flat at times," said Francis after the game. "I think one of the things that we need to do is take better care of the ball whenever we have possession."

Francis also said the Jamaicans were not accustomed to the physical game that T&T played which unsettled the Jamaicans during the second quarter.

Adjustments

"I think we weren't playing well but we were able to fix it and we made the necessary adjustments and it worked for us," she said.

The Jamaicans dominated the opening quarter and led 17-8 at the end of the period. However, the Trinidadians stepped up their defence in the second period, which resulted in a number of turnovers by their opponents as they outscored the Sunshine Girls (12-8) to trail 25-20 at halftime.

Francis made a number of adjustments to the local team at the start of the third period. She switched Nadine Bryan from centre to wing attack with Tracey-Ann Robinson. Christina Solmon replaced goal shooter Romelda Aiken, who seemed tired and not at her best, while Althea Byfield replaced Nicole Aiken as goalkeeper.

The moves paid off as the Sunshine Girls stepped up the tempo with Solmon scoring eight of her 17 goals in the final two minutes of the quarter to extend the hosts' advantage to 42-25 at the final break.

Stylish play

The Trinidadians had no answer to the Sunshine Girls in the fourth quarter as the hosts piled on the pressure with quick passing and stylish play which had the crowd screaming and jumping with delight. The Jamaicans outscored their opponents 17-5 for the 29-goal victory.

Solmon received solid support from captain Simone Forbes, who sank 25 goals from 29 attempts, and Aiken, 15 goals from 19 tries. Janelle Barker was the leading scorer for T&T with 19 goals from 25 attempts.

Bridger Adams, coach of T&T, said: "The Jamaicans have taller players than us and we tried to counteract their game by cutting off the ball before it reached their goal shooter and it worked for us in the first two quarters. After that, I think we allowed the game to run away from us."