Ravens, Skibo set for tough battle

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Ravens 'A' and Skibo 'A' will meet today's final of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA)/Supreme Ventures Divisional 'A' League competition at the National Indoor Sports Centre, staring 4:30 p.m.

In the curtain-raiser for the Divisional 'C' League Trophy at 3 p.m., Omega 'C' challenge Upper Camp.

In semi-final action on Wednesday, Ravens 'A' thrashed Mico 43-37, while Skibo 'A' stopped Maxfield Park 39-30.

When the teams met in the preliminary round, the match ended in a 41-41 draw.

confident

However, Wayne Stewart, coach of Skibo 'A', is very optimistic his team will get the better of their opponents this time.

"We are very confident, but the team that we are going to play is a very good side," he said.

"These are two undefeated teams and I believe that the one that makes the least mistakes will win the match tomorrow (today)," said Stewart.

"The girls have prepared mentally and physically for this because they are very experienced and most of them have been to the final before and so they know what it is like to play on the big stage," Stewart said.

Skibo's charge

National Under-21 player Samantha White, former national representative Audie Grant and former Under-16 national Tamika Goldboune are expected to lead Skibo's charge.

Meanwhile, Christopher Smart, coach of Ravens 'A', said is players are also confident.

"Our preparations have been going good, the girls are in a very positive mood because most have played in a final before and are looking to forward to this game," said Smart.

"They are very confident because our girls are going into this game knowing that we are the better team. I believe that we are a lot more experienced and we also have a lot more established players than our opponents," Smart noted.

Smart added that despite his team's superiority, they won't be taking them lightly.

"We are not going to underestimate our opponents because we know that they are a good team and they have also been to the final before and therefore we're anticipating a competitive game from them," he said.

Ravens 'A' will be depending heavily on national Under-21 players Malysha Kelly, Deshaun Darlington and Kimone Tulloch to lead them to victory.