4 weeks ago
5
Kingston Hummingbirds earned the right to face defending champions Manchester Spurs in today’s Red Stripe Flavours Netball Jamaica Elite League final, after a 65-57 win over St Ann Orchids in their play-off semi-final at the National Arena on Friday.
The final will be played at 5 p.m. at the Leila Robinson courts.
Manchester Spurs are undefeated all season and will go into the match as favourites, but assistant coach Shanell Samuda said they are not over confident.
“We are back in another final as the defending champions. But we know the other team is very talented, very tough. We will go back to the drawing board,” she said.
“We don’t want to be too confident because whoever is coming to the final, we know they are coming with a vengeance. Everybody wants to be champions and everybody will be playing at their best.”
Nevertheless, she said confidence remains high in their camp.
“Yes. We are capable. We are going to take it quarter by quarter. I know the girls are capable of winning and we are aiming to do that,” she stated.
After their upset victory on Friday, Hummingbirds coach Jodian French Kentish said they continue to find their form at the right time and she is backing her team to overcome the odds and go all the way.
RIGHT TIME
“It means a lot to be in the final. The two teams we faced in the quarter-final and semi-final play-offs were teams that beat us before. So we are actually getting it together at the right time. And that is what counts. Those games are now gone, so getting the win at the right time is what’s crucial,” she stated.
She admits that getting the better of Manchester Spurs will be no easy task and that discipline will be key to winning.
“It is a big challenge. They are unbeaten throughout the season. But I have confidence in my girls and I know we can pull off the win,” French Kentish said.
“It’s going to be a hard game but we are going to fight straight up to the last whistle. And I know the better team will win, which is Kingston Hummingbirds,” she said.
“We are on a winning streak and we intend to keep it that way. It is just one more game and we are getting over that hurdle. We got over the hurdle tonight (Friday) and now it’s just one more game to go.”
On Friday, player of the matches and power play shooter of the match, Tania Thomas, scored a two-point buzzer beater, as the Hummingbirds hauled themselves from a seven points deficit to tie the game at 48-48 at the end of regulation time, before taking the win in over time.
French Kentish says Thomas, who sat on the bench for most of the first three quarters, was the game-changer.
“She’s the player of the matches and the power play shooter of the match and she deserves it and we are all really proud of her. She did an excellent job.
“Tania Thomas came on and added some energy into the game. She brought a different style to the game and it worked for us,” French Kentish admitted.
Both teams were evenly matched for most of the match. Orchids led 12-11 after the first quarter, but Hummingbirds drew level (23-23) at half-time.
The Orchids regained the advantage, taking a three-point lead (38-35) at the end of the third quarter, and looked to be on their way to victory as they extended their lead to 40-33 with two minutes remaining.
However, the introduction of Thomas turned the tide, as she took advantage of the power play with some impressive long-range shooting, and then a dramatic last-second shot to tie the game.
“They kept disciplined throughout the game. At times it slipped away. We were down by seven goals and to win by eight shows the determination and the guts,” French Kentish said. “They left it all out on the court and I am really proud.”
English (US) ·