By Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor
JAMAICA'S netballers were outclassed 60-33 by Australia at the XVII Commonwealth Games yesterday.
Playing in the Manchester Evening News Arena the faster, more tactically aware Australians took charge from the first quarter racing to an 18-8 lead. Jamaica hit back to take the second quarter 10-8 but the Australians still held a 28-16 halftime lead.
The winners then easily strolled away with the next two quarters. Elaine Davis had 22 goals from 28 attempts and Simone Forbes 11 from 17 for Jamaica. Australia's Sharelle McMahon had 23 from 31 and Catherine Cox 17 of 30.
Jamaica face lowly Wales in the quarter-finals today with the winners advancing to a semi-final date with New Zealand. Australia await the winners of England/South Africa in the other semi-final.
Jamaica's four swimmers in the pool yesterday were eliminated in the heats of their events.
Janelle Atkinson was the best of the quartet placing third in heat two of the 200m freestyle in 2:02.18.
Tamara Swaby was seventh in heat two of the women's 50m butterfly in 29.28 seconds. Ramon James also failed to reach the men's 50m backstroke final after placing sixth in 27.99 in heat three of his event.
Heavyweight (91kg) Kerron Speid was roughly treated by New Zealand's Shane Cameron in a quarter-final encounter. Cameron won 42-23.
The Jamaican started well and actually led 8-6 after the first of the four two-minute rounds. Cameron gradually took control to lead 18-16 after two and 27-21 going into the fourth and final round. Speid received two standing eight counts in the fourth and was examined by the ring doctor with 33 seconds to go but was allowed to continue. Light welterweight Sheldon Rudolph was stopped in the third round of his fight by England's Darren Barker.
Cyclists Chris Tavares Finson and Ricardo Lynch were 26th and 27th respectively in men's sprint qualification and were eliminated.
Karen Anderson advanced to the squash plate final after beating St. Lucia's Alana Simmons 9-3, 5-9, 9-6, 9-3. She will meet Canada's Margo Green who beat Marlene West 10-8, 9-1, 4-9, 9-6.
