Jamaica’s Young Sunshine Girls finished fifth at the INF Netball World Youth Cup in Botswana on Sunday, after securing a workman like 52-47 win over South Africa in the fifth place playoff.
Determined to finish in the top five was front and centre on the minds of the Jamaican’s, who pushed all the way against a courageous South Africa in their final game of the tournament.
Except for the first quarter when South Africa trailed by a point at 9-8, Jamaica led for the rest of the contest. The Young Sunshine stars opened up a four point lead at 19-15 following a three minute period where the Jamaicans netted four unanswered goals mid-way the second quarter. Jamaica finished the first half marginally in front at 24-22, thanks to some excellent ball movement and top class shooting from Goal shooter Shimona Nelson whose shooting figures stood at 13 from 13 in the second quarter.
In the third period with South Africa now competing for every possession they remained resolute and stayed in the contest with the scores now at 25-21. However two quick steals from Wing Defense Lantanya Wilson and several rainbow passes into Nelson from Hasana Williams, saw Jamaica extending the lead to 37-32 at the end of the quarter before they completed the win.
Nelson had a 93.1 percent shooting average after scoring 26 goals from 29 attempts, with Goal attack Hasana Williams completing 24 of 31 tries.
Uganda secured 7th place with a 55-42 win over Scotland, England walked away with the bronze medal following a 82-45 battering of Fiji, while New Zealand retained their title with classic 71-65 triumph over Australia.
The next Netball World Cup will be staged in Fiji in 2021.