Netball: Jamaica score first win over NZ

12.10 pm

KINGSTON - Jamaica celebrated netball history today when they beat New Zealand 53-44 in the second test at the national arena here.

It was a convincing win for Jamaica who led from start to finish with quarter scores of 13-10, 29-20 and 40-34 to level the series at 1-1.

The Silver Ferns won the first test 46-44 yesterday.

Jamaica captain Elaine Davis played a key role at goal shoot, her height and accuracy keeping the home team in control.

The Silver Ferns failed to match the intensity and commitment of the Jamaicans today. Their play lacked structure and was found wanting under pressure.

The third and deciding test will be on Wednesday afternoon NZ time.

Coach Ruth Aitken continued her rotation policy today with all 12 players having some court time but no combination produced any real impact against an exuberant, young Jamaica.

After a lacklustre first half, New Zealand upped their intensity in the third quarter and pegged back three goals but unlike yesterday Jamaica withstood the pressure.

New Zealand got off to a shaky start when the first four goals went Jamaica's way and they let several bad umpiring calls affect them.

Local umpire Dalton Hinds penalised the Silver Ferns heavily, with many of his decisions looking questionable.

"It was hugely disappointing, it is the first time we have lost to Jamaica and you never want to be on a team that breaks the record like that," Silver Ferns captain Julie Seymour said.

"We got off to a really bad start. We wanted to get a lead so that there wasn't that umpire involvement. Instead we did the opposite.

"We let them get a lead and just couldn't pull it back."

While full of compliments for the way Jamaica achieved their win, Seymour was openly scathing of Jamaican umpire Hinds, and described his display as "disgusting".

"I am quite openly saying the umpire was disgusting. We put so much into our sport and would like to know who is appraising the standard of umpiring that is here," she said.

"I truly believe that the standard was disgusting.

"We just feel like we were playing against eight players out there."

"It feels really good," Davis said of Jamaica's win. "I have played for Jamaica since 1995 and played NZ several times. I feel like screaming now."

- NZPA