Q1 16-12
After a slow start in the first match of the Co-operative International Netball Series Jamaica came out all guns blazing in Coventry. It was a physical and bruising encounter in the early stages - players sent sprawling with bibs being ripped off. Jade Clarke had to pick herself up off the ground more than once in what felt like a gladitorial encounter. The noise was incredible in the Coventry Skydome with fans screaming, stamping and bashing their cheerstix..
England had the edge thanks to some confident passing between 99-cap Karen Atkinson and GA Pamela Cookey, while in the circle Louisa Brownfield was making netting the ball look effortless.
Q2: 29-24
England took a little more out of the Sunshine Girls in the second quarter creeping into a 5 goal lead by half-time as the bumping and bashing continued. Jamaica were better able to find shooter Romelda Aiken with plenty of lofty balls into the circle. Her namesake at the other end Nicole Aiken was another player to hit the court, she was in need of a time-out for a leg injury but after ice-pack treatment was able to continue.
Q3: 41-34
As they showed at the O2 arena Jamaica can come strong in the third quarter and it was another all out assault in the second match in the series. Jo Harten replaced Louisa Brownfield in the England circle but all eyes were on The Sunshine Girls whose all out attack from the first centre pass saw them close the gap to just 2 goals with 6 minutes of the quarter to play. It was a vast improvement on the performance in London but again they visitors left themselves too much to do in the later stages of the match. England coach Sue Hawkins was able to see the hard training pay off as her team stepped up their silky passing moves to keep the ball out of contact.
Q4: 57-47
Simone Forbes had an outstanding match netting goals for Jamaica, she only missed once. Competing with vigour at goal-attack she took away an impressive 96% shooting performance, but without possession she was unable to turn the tables on the home side. It was her opposition in the GA bib Pamela Cookey who was named Mitre Player of the Match for her part in helping England ease to victory in the final 15 minutes. They take the series 2-0 and retain their position as the 3rd best side in the world. For Jamaica there are plenty of positives to take out of the match and an incentive to pick up the pace earlier in matches. Nottingham may be a dead rubber but the Sunshine Girls will be looking for something to take home while avoiding a 3 match defeat.
England captain Sonia Mkoloma was pleased: "It was a strong and dominant performance from all the girls, who worked hard as a team to finish and win the series."
England coach Sue Hawkins, "We've got the third match to go and can't be too complacent. We're going to go stronger harder, and faster on Thursday to tidy up out game, to go hard on in attack and stronger on the ball".
STARTING LINE-UPS
ENGLAND:
GS: Louisa Brownfield, GA Pamela Cookey WA Karen Atkinson C Jade Clarke WD Sara Bayman GD Sonia Mkoloma (captain) GK Geva Mentor
SHOOTING STATS
Pamela Cookey 25/27 = 93% Louisa Brownfield 17/20 = 85% Jo Harten 15/18 83%
JAMAICA
GS: Romelda Aiken GA Simone Forbes (captain) WA:Nadine Bryan, C Paula Thompson WD, Tracy-Ann Robinson, GD Althea Byfield GK:Nicole Aiken
Simone Forbes 24/25 = 96%
Romelda Aiken 23/30 = 77%
