Netball: Jamaican nailbiter raises NZ nerves

Ruth Aitken. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Any expectation that the Silver Ferns will cruise into the summer break with a couple of straightforward hit-outs against Jamaica were stamped out yesterday when the Sunshine Girls pulled off a surprise win over Australia.

The Silver Ferns will take on the dangerous Jamaican side in the first of two tests in Kingston tomorrow, with the season finale on Friday.

Under the guidance of shooting legend Connie Francis, the Jamaicans have been steadily improving over the past 12 months, which was highlighted with their second-place finish in the World Netball Series this month.

Their rise was further underlined yesterday when they pulled off a nail-biting 56-55 win over the world champion Australians. It followed a gutsy performance from the home side in Sunday's opening test, which they narrowly lost by two goals.

Sitting among the throng of passionate local fans in both matches was New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken, who admits she is a little nervous about the form the Jamaicans are showing.

"Certainly at home they are very lethal and I think it was very good for some of our new girls that haven't been over here before to see how the crowd gets involved, especially once it gets close," said Aitken.

"The Jamaican team can really lift, they can also go down quite quickly but, boy, when they get on a roll everything seems to go their way."

In her side's final hit-out of the season Australian coach Norma Plummer gave all 12 of her players court time, but a couple of changes were through necessity.

Outstanding wing defence Renae Hallinan injured her ankle shortly before halftime, and captain Sharelle McMahon left the court in the final quarter with knee pain.

Aitken said the Jamaicans were extremely tenacious and her side are bracing themselves for a brutal finish to a long international season.

"It was pretty full-on, there was no doubt about it, it was a very physical encounter, but that's just what we've come to expect from international netball nowadays," she said.

Ferns skipper Casey Williams said the Jamaicans seemed more disciplined than in the past and had a strong attack line led by brilliant play-maker Simone Forbes.

"I think each time I've seen them out on court they seem to be getting better, which I guess is really good for the sport, but for us, it is a little bit intimidating," said Williams.

"They have a lot more structure and their players have really improved their skill level and fitness level."

Jamaica's strength once again limits Aitken's ability to test a variety of different combinations.

She is still keen to build depth in her squad, but she doesn't want it to be at the expense of the team's structure.

"We would like to [try different combinations], whether that transfers into actually can-do, that sort of depends on the lines at training tomorrow," said Aitken.

"What probably I'd like to do is make some changes within the structures we have, so it is just kind of working out how many is too many, but I'm sure we'll have a go at some."