Sunshine Girls CAC title defence off to flying start

Jamaica’s netball team will be aiming to secure a second consecutive victory at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games when they take on Bermuda today. The match is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

The Nardia Hanson-coached team, made up primarily of under-21 players, opened their title defence in emphatic fashion yesterday with a commanding 67-12 victory over the Dominican Republic.

The Jamaicans, who captured the CAC Games crown in El Salvador in 2023, enter today’s encounter as overwhelming favourites to retain their title.

Jamaica wasted little time asserting their dominance in the opening match, racing to a 13-3 lead at the end of the first quarter before extending the advantage to 31-7 at half-time.

The Sunshine Girls continued to dictate proceedings after the interval, outscoring the Dominican Republic 16-2 in the third quarter to take a commanding 47-9 lead into the final period.

In complete control of the contest, the Jamaicans finished strongly, winning the fourth quarter 20-3 to complete a comfortable 55-point victory.

Goal shooter Kellian Hunter led the Jamaican attack with 27 goals from 34 attempts, while Jada Ricketts provided excellent support with 18 goals from 21 attempts. Tamera Jarrett also impressed, converting seven of her eight attempts.

Jamaica were equally dominant defensively, forcing numerous turnovers and finishing the contest with 12 interceptions, compared to the Dominican Republic’s five.

The convincing opening-day performance should give Hanson and her young squad plenty of confidence heading into today’s clash with Bermuda as they continue their quest for back-to-back CAC Games titles.

In yesterday’s other fixture, Barbados defeated Bermuda 57-25.