Hummingbirds earn first win
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Defending champions Kingston Hummingbirds got their first win in two attempts, after they defeated JACE Risers (Jamaica CAC Games team) 50-46 yesterday in their second game on the opening weekend of the Netball Jamaica Red Stripe Flavours Elite League at the National Arena.
The Hummingbirds had lost their opening match 59-37 to last season's beaten finalists, Manchester Spurs.
Hummingbirds coach Kerry-Ann Brown said the intention is to make it back to the final this season, but that they must improve game by game to achieve that objective.
"Friday we lost our first game, and we had some discussions with the ladies about tidying up a few things. When the defenders win the ball, take care of it coming through court.
"For the shooters, goals win matches, so we encouraged them to shoot and be comfortable and confident.
"We are looking to improve our court play and to get back to the final, so there is a lot of work to do," she said.
In a closely contested game, the.young Sunshine Girls gave as good as they got for the first three quarters, but could not hold off the defending champions' late surge.
After an intense and competitive first quarter, Hummingbirds held a 12-10 lead, but JACE
Risers rallied in the latter part of the second quarter to nudge ahead 26-25 at the half-time break.
The junior Sunshine Girls turned in another good display in the third period and came away leading 38-35 going into the final period.
However, the Hummingbirds stepped up in the final stanza to pull away from their opponents.
"I commend my girls for sticking to the game plan," said JACE Risers coach Nardia Hanson-Graham. "Whatever we do in this competition it is training for us, as we are preparing for the CAC Games."
The league will resume on Friday with St Catherine Racers against Kingston Hummingbirds and JACE Risers playing St Ann Orchids.