JAMAICA have beaten England U21s by just six goals to claim bronze at the World Youth Netball Championships.
The giants of Northern Hemisphere netball met once again in the Cook Islands’ clash, after similar scenarios at the 2003 and 2007 senior World Championships and the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, 2006.
Jamaica dominated the game in its early stages, despite star player Romelda Aiken being benched with a knee injury from the semi-finals.
But the English defence was slick with captain Eboni Beckford Chambers combining expertly with Stacey Francis to pressure the Jamaican attack – still highly effective without Aiken.
The quarter ended 11 goals each, and England switched goal shooter Jo Harten with Monique Wood at goal attack.
Jamaica responded to England’s strong performance by bringing Romelda Aiken on at GS, with her knee heavily strapped.
The game continued neck and neck until Jamaica called an injury time break at 20 – 22 up, but it was England who made changes with Serena Guthrie moving forward to centre and Sarah Jane O’Sullivan from C to WA.
The change disrupted England’s flow and Jamaica seized the opportunity to build a 21 – 26 lead before half-time.
Fans were treated to a spectacular tussle beneath the Jamaican goal with Aiken – twice voted most valuable player in the senior Trans-Tasman ANZ Championships – and Beckford Chambers who tipped several aerial balls away from the shooter and forced her into errors.
For the third quarter, England reverted to their starting seven and picked up the pace with a stunning effort from the whole team, urged on by the bench and a loud crowd wanting to see a tight finish.
England drew level at 32 goals each before finishing the quarter just behind at 32 – 34.
There were no team changes for the final 15 minutes, which saw Jo Harten suffer a foot injury.
Ella Clark was subbed in to shoot, and she responded well amid intense pressure, snatching rebounds and seizing stray balls.
But it was Jamaica who had the upper hand, maintaining a lead that only increased in the last moments. The final score of England 42 Jamaica 48 destroyed the medal dreams of the young English side.
