Police Nationals, JCF leave Florida with bronze medals

JAMAICA’s security-force teams, Police Nationals and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), yesterday secured bronze medals at the inaugural Florida United Netball Extravaganza at the Vernon E. Hargray Youth Enrichment Center in Miramar, Florida.

Police Nationals defeated Molynes 13-11 in a thrilling third-place play-off for the Championship Division, which was won by Florida’s Sunballerz, who stopped Jamaica’s Ministry of Health 14-7 in the final.

Police Nationals led 12-11 with the clock ticking down in their Championship Division semi-final before Ministry of Health pulled level at 12-12 with their last shot in regular time, sending the game into extra time.

Ministry of Health’s depth from the bench was too much for Police Nationals in extra-time offensive changes, which won them a spot in the finals at 19-15.

Coach Joan Benjamin said Police Nationals’ centre-court game needed support, which was left behind in Jamaica, as players were denied visas at the American Embassy.

“Our centre court wasn’t strong enough, but we performed very well. I commend the girls. They came and played well despite the shortcomings. The two finalists are good teams. Next year we will be better,” Benjamin assured.

Police Nationals emerged the third-best all-female team of the tournament, enduring another tense extra-time encounter from which they emerged 13-11 winners against Molynes United Netball Club.

Spirited Molynes led 7-5 at half-time before Police Nationals’ ace goal attack Maercella Thompson combined with goal shoot Kenesha Beckett to go 9-8 up. However, Molynes scored a whistle-beater to tie regular time at 9-9.

Thompson scored three consecutive goals to put Police Nationals up 12-9, before Molynes responded with a pair of their own, pushing the game within a point at 12-11.

However, Thompson’s fourth goal in extra time handed Police Nationals the Championship Division bronze at 13-11.

Jamaica Constabulary Force went down in a point-for-point stunner against compatriots Royalty in their Gold Division semi-final, losing 11-12 in a match which had the auditorium on its feet. The officers in blue later returned to beat Trinidad and Tobago’s Eastern Quarry Thrillers 10-5 for bronze in Gold Division behind winners Royalty, who stopped runners-up Thornbird 9-8.

Managers of both police teams, Acting Commissioner Christopher Phillips and Senior Superintendent Norris Rhoomes, said they were satisfied with their players’ performances, considering that they faced quality opposition.

“It was a fairly good showing. We almost made it to the final. The ladies put up a good fight. It was pretty commendable,” said Phillips, who manages Police Nationals.

Rhoomes pointed out that JCF had trailed by five goals against Eastern in their third-place play-off.

“We were five down before gaining momentum. The team did really good in this competition, which was well-organised,” he noted.

Ainsley Walters