Waulgrovians retain Senior League title

WAULGROVIANS "A" showed true championship form in the last quarter to register their 14th lien on the Berger Paints Senior Netball League title after an extremely tough battle against Jamalco in the final at the Leila Robinson Courts yesterday.

Both teams committed the same amount of turnovers in the game - 20 - but Jamalco faltered to give Waulgrovians a 54-51 win.

Centre Sharon Wiles created numerous interceptions at the start of the game to give the many-time champions an 8-5 lead, but Jamalco rallied to equalise at 9-9.

Waulgrovians maintained the edge to pip the first quarter lead of 13-12.

The Winston Nevers-coached Clarendon side, which lost to Waulgrovians twice this season in the preliminary round, surprised all and sundry with an awesome performance.

His instruction of "drink di wata and go fi dem" prior to the start of the second quarter was heeded as Jamalco plowed on to gain a 27-23 lead at half time.

Waulgrovians did not look like happy campers entering the third quarter and with Jamalco leading 34-32, coach Patrick Brissett called a time-out.

Nevers used the opportunity to regroup and make four substitutions.

Like true champions, Waulgrovians returned with a defensive plan and equalised at 34-34. Displaying fierce determination, Jamalco were like a bad dream that wouldn't go away and stuck to their arch-rivals until they equalised at 37-37 to then overtaking the lead a goal later.

But Waulgrovians regained the lead to end the period ahead 42-40. They surged to a 49-44 lead as the Jamalco shooters were starved for passes. With a three-goal lead and under one minute left in the game, the Clarendonians never stood a chance.

Captain Connie Francis, who was knocked unconscious during the champion's training session on Friday evening, scored 31 of 36 attempts while Simone Forbes netted 23 of 25 attempts.

For Jamalco, Elaine Davis converted 39 of 45 attempts and Margaret Byfield 12 of 14 tries.

Tivoli "A" beat Jetsetters "A" 51-39 to secure third place.

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