Under-21s too good for T&T

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's Under-21 netballers warmed up for tomorrow's opening encounter against England with an easy 85-23 victory over Trinidad and Tobago, in the opening match of the triangular series at the University of the West Bowl on Wednesday.

The junior Sunshine girls outclassed their Caribbean counterparts with their clever play and swift movement at both ends of the court.

The Jamaican girls who were fitter and quicker to the ball than their opponents, led 27-5 at the end of the first quarter then 50-9 at half-time and 70-15 at the end of the third period.

Jamaica's coaching staff who are still searching for their best shooting combination, used five shooters during Wednesday's game. Shantel Slater, who is the most accomplished shooter on the team, top scored with 34 goals from 37 attempts.

She was assisted by Simone Gordon (20 from 26) Shanice Beckford (16 from 21), Thristina Harwood (10 from 13) and Khadijah Williams (five from seven).

"It's going to be a much tougher game against England because we know that they have two or three players who have turned out for their senior team and likewise, we have a few that have played in our senior team, and so we are evenly matched," said Pitterson-Nattie.

Reflecting on her team's easy victory over Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, Pitterson-Nattie said: "It was good in parts because when we had certain combinations in, it was excellent. It's good that we were able to use five shooters and still come out with over 80 goals. We know that we could have had more because we could have reached the 100 mark, but it's not about the score, it was about giving everybody an opportunity on court.".

The series continues today with Trinidad and Tobago opposing England at the University of Technology starting at 7:30 p.m.