Commonwealth Games: BRONZE for Jamaica in Netball

Andre Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter



GLASGOW, Scotland:

Jamaica's Sunshine Girls are Commonwealth Games bronze medallists after outlasting England 52-48 in their third place match at the SSE Hydro earlier today.



It was Jamaican's second bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games after a similar finish in 2002 in Manchester, when they got by the same opponents.



Today's bronze medal showdown will go down as one of the most exciting games at this tournament, with each team swapping leads and keeping a stranglehold on each other until a crucial England turnover with three minutes to go in the fourth quarter.



The Jamaicans, who saved their best game at Glasgow 2014 for their last, never looked back, forcing a couple more English errors before bursting into a wild and emotional celebrations after the final whistle was sounded.



"I am overwhelmed, I'm extremely happy for this, this is amazing!" exclaimed young goal attack Shanice Beckford.



"Oh God, I'm so happy for this, we needed it, we knew that a lot was riding on this and we are just elated to be Commonwealth Games bronze medal winners," added mid-court enforcer Vangelee Williams.



Coach Minneth Reynolds had to catch her breath but said she was extremely proud of the show of discipline and determination displayed by her girls.



"We are so elated, these girls went out there and decide it was now or never and they gave it their all, I am so very proud of them," said Reynolds.



Romelda Aiken, took a beating in the arc and gave one herself in what was a very physical game, scoring 44 goals from her 52 attempts with the wily Beckford scoring eight from 15.



Centre Paula Thompson took over the play making role from the injured Sasher-Gaye Henry with 22 assists with England's Joanne Harten leading their offence with 26 goals from 29 attempts.



The result means that Jamaica ties its best ever showing at a Commonwealth Games from Melbourne 2006, when it secured 22 medals, ending Glasgow 2014 with 10 golds, four silver and eight bronze medals.



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