Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer
Campbell
Sylvester Campbell, coach of defending champions Tivoli Gardens A, says he is very optimistic his side can retain this year's Jamaica Netball Association (JNA)/Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Open League title, following their 47-21 victory over Torrington Park in their opening game on Saturday at the Leila Robinson Courts.
"I'm very confident," said Campbell, who is one of two local umpires that recently officiated in the World Netball Championships final between host Australia and New Zealand. The other was Dalton Hinds.
He added: "However, I am also not too over-confident because I know that some of the other teams have improved a lot and are on par with some of the big teams in the competition."
Campbell added that at the moment things are looking good for his team and they are trying to bring some amount of discipline to the team because they can't take things for granted playing against weaker teams during these early rounds.
"I am satisfied with our performance because based on who we were playing it was good, because they played according to instructions. But we still have a few things that we still need to work on before the big games come around," Campbell explained.
Extended advantage
Tivoli, led by goal shooter Cleopatra Grant with 36 goals, eased to a 27-17 lead at half-time. The west Kingston-based team extended their advantage in the second period to romp home for a comfortable victory. Grant received solid support from Jodi-Ann French, who scored 11 goals.
In the day's other games, Open League rally champions Jamalco thrashed Red Challenge 62-10, Ravens A whipped Greenwich A 37-9, Alpha B stopped Duhaney Strikers 30-18, G. C. Foster Strikers got by Millennium Strikers 25-19, Whitehorses beat Hampshire C 29-20, Correctional Services eased past New Kingston Raiders 25-13, Alpha A trounced Bridgeport A 45-6, Ocho Rios Magics defeated Molynes United C 30-17, Police A shot down East Central 34-16, Jetsetters A marched past Jamaica Defence Force 36-15, Molynes United A got by Jetsetters B 51-19 and Blades United edged Ravens B 22-23.
