The Jamaican Sunshine Girls have leveled the Series against the Australian Diamonds with a thrilling one goal victory in Kingston this morning. The 56-55 loss was the final Test in the Diamonds 2009 international schedule.
After their grueling international campaign coach Norma Plummer used her entire bench in the match with all 12-Diamonds taking the court.
Wing defence Renae Hallinan left the court in the second quarter with an ankle injury while captain Sharelle McMahon did not finish the game, rested after she experienced knee soreness during the final quarter.
With their 2009 international season finished, the Australian Diamonds depart Kingston separately tomorrow for a well-deserved break.
Australian Diamonds shooting statistics
Catherine Cox 16/22 @ 73%
Susan Pratley 5/6 @ 83%
Sharelle McMahon 22/25 @ 88%
Natalie Medhurst 12/16 @ 75%
Quotes – coach Norma Plummer
“It was a pretty tough encounter. We were going goal for goal. They started off pretty much on fire and there wasn’t much in it again up until half-time.”
“We made a couple of changes after losing Renae Hallinan with an ankle injury in the second quarter.”
“We changed the whole team at half-time which gave us a really big injection, really moved us forward.”
“I certainly think Sharelle was up there with one of our best players tonight along with Kim Green and Nat von Bertouch.”
Diamonds starting positions:
GS – Catherine Cox
GA - Sharelle McMahon (Captain)
WA - Kimberlee Green
C - Natalie von Bertouch (Vice Captain)
WD - Renae Hallinan
GD - Mo`onia Gerrard
GK - Bianca Chatfield
Rebecca Bulley
Susan Fuhrmann
Natalie Medhurst
Lauren Nourse
Susan Pratley
Q2
GS – Catherine Cox
GA - Sharelle McMahon
WA - Kimberlee Green
C - Natalie von Bertouch
WD - Renae Hallinan (Left the court with ankle injury replaced by Rebecca Bulley)
GD - Mo`onia Gerrard
GK - Bianca Chatfield
Rebecca Bulley
Susan Fuhrmann
Natalie Medhurst
Lauren Nourse
Susan Pratley
Q3
GS – Sharelle McMahon
GA - Natalie Medhurst
WA – Lauren Nourse
C - Kimberlee Green
WD - Natalie von Bertouch
GD - Rebecca Bulley
GK - Susan Fuhrmann
Catherine Cox
Susan Pratley
Renae Hallinan
Bianca Chatfield
Mo`onia Gerrard
Q4
GS – Sharelle McMahon (Left the court with knee soreness, replaced by Susan Pratley)
GA - Natalie Medhurst
WA – Lauren Nourse
C - Kimberlee Green
WD - Natalie von Bertouch
GD - Rebecca Bulley
GK - Susan Fuhrmann
Catherine Cox
Susan Pratley
Renae Hallinan
Bianca Chatfield
Mo`onia Gerrard
Quarter by quarter scores:
Q1 – Diamonds 14, Jamaica 15
Q2 – 26-28
Q3 – 43-41
Q4 – 55-56
