Ja, England in U-21 clash

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's netballers will be seeking their second consecutive victory in the Under-21 tri-series when they oppose England today at the University of Technology (UTech) starting at 7:30 p.m.

The Oberon Pitterson-Nattie junior Sunshine Girls started the series with an impressive 85-23 victory over their Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday.

The local girls will, however, face a tougher task today against a formidable English team."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.

hunt for goals

Goal shooter Shantel Slater, who is the most accomplished shooter on the team will lead Jamaica's hunt for goals along with Simone Gordon, Shanice Beckford and Thristina Harwood.

Adean Thomas and Khadijah Williams will feature in the centre court while captain Vangelee Williams and Shamera Sterling will anchor the defence.

Meanwhile, England's coach Collette Thomson will be banking on an experienced roster.

"They (Jamaica) are very good, they are very aerial, they have very long arms and they are a very strong side and so we know that we have our work cut out for us," she said.

Thomson added: "We are smaller and we don't have the aerial reach and so we going to have to use our speed and change the direction and keep the ball going around them, rather than over them.