Carolyn Johnson, Gleaner WriterIT SEEMS Wray and Nephew were intoxicated or COOL Petroleum just had too much energy to burn. Either way, COOL managed a whopping victory, emerging 21-7 winners on Thursday in the Business House Netball Association's Courts Consolation knock-out preliminary round.
From the first whistle, COOL Petroleum dominated the game and never looked back. Although they slowed their pace in the second half, Wray and Nephew failed to improve their game, netting only two balls, compared to five in the first half.
Goal attack Janice Rennalls was the star of the game, both on the court and in the circle. More than three-quarters of her team's goals were allotted to her. Though Wray and Nephew could have done better, their defence was far too weak. Too often Rennalls was left unmarked and goal defence Shelly Ann Brown nowhere to be found. On one occasion she opted to sit on the court as the game progressed to COOL's circle.
At the end of the game, Wray and Nephew's coach refused to give a comment.
Phillip St. Marie, the victorious coach, was, however, more than willing to give his opinion on the game, admitting his team was not at its best in the Open League.
NEW TEAM
"Open League was just to place in divisional league so you have to try out all the players to get a form. It's a new team playing for the first time, trying out to come for divisional," he said.
COOL Petroleum had placed fifth, second to last, in their group. Still, his aims are high for the remainder of the competition.
"Although they won the match there were a lot of faults, a lot of errors we have to address at the next training session. Now we are coming to crucial times, divisional league and consolation league. We hope to pull off the consolation league by the grace of God," St. Marie told The Gleaner.
Six matches were played at the Leila Robinson courts after the opening ceremony and parade of the 38 competing teams.
The eight winners of their respective groups from the Open League will get a bye to the quarter-finals. These winners include: Bank of Nova Scotia 'A', Sugar Company of Jamaica, National Commercial Bank 'A', Jamaica Broilers, Department of Correc-tional Services, RBTT, Jamaica Infrasturtue Operators and General Accident.
In other matches on Thursday, Areotel defeated Victoria Mutual Building Society 19-16, Port Authority walked over National Commercial Bank 'B' 19-6, First Caribbean International Bank kicked out Maritime 17-7 and National Water Commission 'B' topped Lascelles 19-7.
Action will continue at the Leila Robinson courts at 3:30 today. Sixteen games are scheduled to be played.
