By Daraine Luton, Freelance WriterJETSETTERS C yesterday secured their place in the Intermediate Netball League after winning the Supreme Ventures C League final at the Leila Robinson Courts.
Led by a game high 22 goals from 26 attempts from Crystal Duffus, the C. Lloyd Walker coached girls survived a stunning third quarter played by Hampshire 'B' to register a 30-24 win.
The victory not only gave Jetsetters the championship crown but they also won for themselves $30,000 for topping the division. Runners-up Hampshire B pocketed $20,000.
Eden Strikers were also among the smiling faces at the courts yesterday as they earned themselves $15,000 for finishing third. They defeated New Kingston Raiders 26-13 in the third-place play-off.
In that game, Eden Strikers made good on their quest to be called the third best in the Division from early in the game. Scores of 11-3, 16-6, 21-10 and 26-13 were just mere reflections of the dominance Strikers had over their hapless opponents.
OUTCLASSED
Hampshire B were by no means outclassed by the Jetsetters team in the grand finale that followed. They matched Jetsetters ball for ball and shot for shot for the entire first quarter, a period which ended 8-6 in favour of Jetsetters.
However, at the start of the second period they encountered problems when Jetsetters were sparked by livewire centre Kimesha Burke, who dictated the game from centre court.
Burke's mastery propelled her team further into the lead as her dominance took Hampshire by surprise. The latter during this period gave up six turnovers and, to add insult to injury, Duffus was shooting poorly, thus making life very difficult for them. When the halftime whistle came, Jetsetters seemed to have wrapped it all up as they had shot into a 22-12 lead.
But little did they know that their fortunes could turn. The third quarter spelt disaster for them as they could only manage three goals while Hampshire sunk eight, including five unanswered. But although the momentum swung to Hampshire, trailing 20-25 going into the final quarter was always going to be a tough ask for them to catch up with Jetsetters C.
Although the Hampshire team played well during this last period they came up short and will have to remain in the C League while Jetsetters take a step up.
