Jamaica add to Southby struggles

Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls have ensured another dismal day in the history of the Silver Ferns, winning the Taini Jamison Trophy with a 59-53 victory in the final yesterday at the North Shore Events Centre.

Going into this week, Jamaica had only ever beaten New Zealand twice, but in the space of three days they’ve doubled that tally.

The Silver Ferns’ first game at the Commonwealth Games is in 12 days and it’s questionable how much improvement can be found in a team that’s already lost to England, Australia and Jamaica (twice) this year.

Before this tournament, the Ferns talked about lessons they’d learned from the disappointing Quad Series in January.

Their words suggested there was a new steely resolve in the team and they’d be holding each other accountable. It’s difficult to know what to make of those comments now.

The 59-51 defeat to Jamaica on Thursday highlighted some issues in the Ferns, worryingly close to the Commonwealth Games.

They were too cautious on attack in that game and were unable to stop the high balls going to Jamaica’s towering goal-shoot Jhaniele Fowler-Reid.

If lessons were learnt from that game, remembering that this is just a warm-up tournament, then all good. But if those flaws were repeated in this final, then there would be serious cause for concern.

Jamaica regard themselves as genuine medal contenders on the Gold Coast and their pool game against Australia on April 11 will be as keenly fought as the Silver Ferns’ game against England the same day.

Somewhat surprisingly, Ameliaranne Ekenasio retained her position from Friday night at goalshoot, while Bailey Mes got the nod ahead of Maria Folau at goalattack. Missing was defender Kayla Cullen, who needed to rest her injured knee.

Jamaica got out to a 5-2 lead four minutes and when down 9-5 after 10min, Folau came on for Mes, who was two from five with her shots.

With two minutes to go in the half, the Silver Ferns did manage to close the deficit to one point, but a late rally, where Jamaica scored five in a row, gave them a 28-23 lead and Fowler-Reid continued to star in the second half as they hung on well.

Meanwhile, in the playoff game for third place, Malawi defeated Fiji, 78-46.

New Zealand 53 (Ekenasio 15/19, Mes 2/5, Folau 22/26, T Selby-Rickit 14-17) lost to Jamaica 59 (Fowler-Reid 51/56, S Beckford 8/12) Q1: 9-13; HT: 23-28; Q3: 39-44.