U-21s clobber England

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's Under-21 net-ballers defeated England's Under-21 team 49-33 in the opening game of their three-Test series at the G.C. Foster College in St Catherine yesterday.

"I think that the girls played well in different areas of the game," said Jamaica's coach, C. Lloyd Walker. "I think that we have been progressing because our real aim is Cook Islands (World Youth Championship hosts) and this series is just another step in the right direction."

Goal shooter Crystal Gordon led the way for the Jamaicans with 35 goals from 48 attempts. She received good support from Christina Solmon, who sank 10 goals from 11 tries and Vanessa Walker, four goals from eight attempts.

Jo Harten, with 21 goals from 27 attempts, Monique Wood, 10 from 14 and Rosie Allison, two from five, were the scorers for England.

The young Sunshine Girls began the match positively and led 13-10 at the end of the first quarter.

The English youngsters rallied in the second period to cut the deficit, with the score reading 22-21 at half-time.

The Jamaicans then increased their advantage in the third quarter with tight defence, which led to seven turnovers by their opponents and, in the process, outscored them 12-7 to take a 34-28 lead at the end of the third.

In the final stanza, England proved to be no match for the rampant Jamaicans, who came out firing on all cylinders and outscored them 15-5, to romp to a comfortable victory.

Inconsistent

The second game in the series will be played today at the same venue, starting 6 p.m.

England's coach Anna Mayes said: "I think that we were very inconsistent because we let the scoreline get away from us, especially in the last quarter.

"I think we need to consolidate a lot better whenever they turn over the ball in our next game. I definitely will be looking to bounce back from this game because this is a three-match series and we are not going to lay down and die."