Silver Ferns block out Sunshine

Following a dominant win against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, the Sunshine Girls suffered their first defeat at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, falling 53-48 to New Zealand in a nail-biting encounter.

The Sunshine Girls, ranked fourth in the world, came into the match knowing it would be their toughest game in Pool B against the world’s second-ranked team.

New Zealand won the first quarter 14-12, but Jamaica recovered to win the second, 12-13.

The Silver Ferns took the remaining two quarters 13-10 and 14-13 to keep the lead in a close affair.

Romelda Aiken-George led the scoring for Jamaica with 34 points, while Shanice Beckford contributed the remaining 14.

The result sees Jamaica falling to third in the group, but will have the chance to climb up the standings with their third game against Uganda today at the OVO Hydro Arena.

The top two teams from the pool will advance to the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games, while the remaining teams will contest for final placements.

The Sunshine Girls are hunting their first gold medal at the Games, with their best performance coming in 2022 when they won the sliver medal.

SWIMMING

Sabrina Lyn had the chance to pick up Jamaica’s first medal at the Commonwealth Games when she lined up in the women’s 100m breaststroke final.

However, her time of one minute, 08.87 seconds (1:08.87) was only enough to place eighth as Scotland’s Angharad Evans took the gold medal in 1:06.07.

South Africa’s Aimee Canny claimed the silver medal in 1:06.19, while Sienna Toohey of Australia took the bronze in 1:06.47.

In the heats of the women’s 100m butterfly, Jessica Calderbank was the only Jamaican to advance to the semi-finals as her time of one minute, 01.34 (1:01.34) saw her placing fifth in heat four.

Lyn’s time of 1:03.19 in heat three, however, was not quick enough to advance.

Calderbank’s journey ended at the semi-finals, however, as she posted a time of 1:01.31 which placed her seventh in the first heat.

In men’s swimming, Kito Campbell advanced from the heats of the 50m breaststroke after placing fifth in heat six with a time of 28.11 seconds.

Jamaica’s Collin McKenzie placed eighth in heat five in a time of 29.57, outside of the qualifying spots.

BASKETBALL

Jamaica returned to action in the women’s 3x3 basketball competition, this time completing a perfect run as they won both games.

They defeated Kenya 21-16 in their first game of the day before scoring a massive 17-15 against Fiji in a hard-fought win.

The win means Jamaica advance to the quarter-finals where they will face off against the second-ranked team from Pool B.

The quarter-finals are set for Tuesday, July 28 at the SEC Centre.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com