3 months ago
20
THE SECOND finalist in the Red Stripe Flavours Netball Jamaica Elite League will be determined today at the Leila Robinson courts when Kingston Hummingbirds take on St Ann Orchids in a semi-final playoff at 7:30 p.m.
The number-one ranked Manchester Spurs defeated the Orchids in their first semi-final playoff last Sunday to book their place in this Sunday’s final.
The third-seed Hummingbirds turned back fourth-seed St Catherine Racers in their quarterfinal playoff to set a date with the Orchids for a place in the decider.
The St Ann Orchids defeated the Hummingbirds in the preliminary round and will go into the match as favourites, and although coach Kurt Dale is confident, he pointed out that the Hummingbirds are on a good run and will fancy their chances of creating an upset.
“The overall competition is tough, and the Hummingbirds, since their loss to us, have been on a winning streak. They have two wins on the trot, so they will be feeling confident. And we are going to be aware of that.
“Hopefully, we can put on a clinical performance come Friday, but there are a lot of things we need to do,” he said.
Dale pointed out that their defence had been solid all season but that they still had issues in attack. Still, he believes that the game is theirs to lose.
“We will look at the areas we can improve, and discipline is one of the main things. I think in attack we are a bit careless with the ball sometimes, but our defence has been exceptional all season.
“We are arguably the best defensive team in the competition. So once we can tighten up in attack and figure out how we can turn defence into attack, I think it is ours to lose.
“We have been building nicely. It’s just those critical moments that we need to be disciplined and ensure that we convert on the turnovers. So it’s ours to lose, and we know that,” he said.
The Orchids will look to players like Shalia Bishop, goal attack Kestina Sturbridge, and goal shooter Nathalie Campbell to see them to victory.
The Hummingbirds’ hopes will rest on shooter Tracy Ann Francis, Tania Thomas, and Zonesha Hinds and coach Jodian French Kentish believes that things are coming together for them at the right time of the season.
“We started very slowly in the competition, but I told the girls to stick to the task and keep disciplined, and now we are winning at the right time, and that’s what is important.
“The girls are raring to go, and we will just keep winning from hereon, and I know we will become champions,” she declared.
English (US) ·