THE WEEKLY GLEANER | AUGUST 8 - AUGUST 14, 2022 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | SPORTS 15 Keith McGhie/Contributor STARGOALshooter JhanieleFowler highlighted how much the past weekhasmeant to Jamaicannetball though theSunshineGirls’magnificent run toa first-ever Commonwealth Games final ended in a 55-51defeat to Australia. After a historic and unblemished run to themajormedal decider, including an unprecedentedGameswinoverAustralia in qualifying and New Zealand in the semi-final, plus a record 103-24 victory over Barbados, Jamaica struggled toexert authority intheir secondmeetingwiththe side rankednumber one in theWorldand trailed throughoutmost of an absorbing final playedamidanelectric atmosphere. DespiteThursday’s success against the Aussies, few had Jamaica anything but underdogs, which fuelled fervent support for the black, green, and golds from a capacity audience at the NEC Arena in Birmingham. Fowler, the competition’s leadinggoal scorer, reflected: “We are so indebted to the crowd for coming out and supporting us the way they did – it was so humbling – and we feltweput onagoodperformancewithout quitemaking it over the line this time. “This has done so much to move us forwardand, hopefully, will result innew sponsors coming along to push us even further forward. “We have done the best we have ever done, and although we are still hungry for more, we are happy to have finished second. “I reckonwe let ourselves down in the third quarter when we let them in and have a run (of goals). “Last time we were able to rein them inwhen they had a run but weren’t able to do that tonight. “My lasting memory was beating Australia (in the qualifying pool), which wedidwithcomparatively fewresources.” Australia, who finished with an enormous 501goals for the tournament, never looked likely to have a repeat of the anguish of four years ago, when on home soil in Gold Coast, they lost the final to England on the final play. Nor could Jamaica replicate their historic57-55success threedaysbeforehand. The formidableDiamonds, in their seventh consecutive final and already with threepreviousgoldmedals to their name, held a controlling hand from the outset. Such was the competitiveness, it was almost a minute before Australia scored the first goal as anerve-rackingbut compelling opening period unfolded. Repeatedly, theDiamonds tried topull away, only for the fired-up–andoccasionally overpassionate Sunshine Girls, with fiveplayers regulars inAustralia’s Suncorp Super League – to close the deficit. But the Aussies, looking more composed, eased out to an early 13-7 lead. The deafening cheers were all for Jamaican success, and it was back to 14-12when a pulsating first quarter was brought to a close. With the imposing figure of Fowler dominating the circle, as she had all week, Jamaica edged into the lead, for the first and only time, midway through the second quarter and briefly held a 22-18 advantage. Half-time arrivedwith the sides locked at 29 each. Australia emerged from the longer break with renewed intent, and in the blinkof aneye, Jamaicawere twice staring down the barrel of a nine-point deficit. Again, they rallied to close to within six (45-39) with one quarter remaining then sparkeda fewAussienerves at 48-45 during the closing quarter. But as the clock tickeddown, Australia’s composure began tooutshine the sheer effort and increasingdesperation shown by Jamaica, leading to themclaiming the 1000th gold medal in Commonwealth Games history. Fowler finished with 46 goals from 47 attempts while Shanice Beckford claimed the other five goals for the Sunshine Girls. ‘Best we have ever done’ Fowler takes heart in historic silver for Sunshine Girls Jamaica’s Adean Thomas (centre) wins the ball in front of Australia’s Ashleigh Brazill (right) during the netball competition’s gold medal match between the teams on day 10 of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at NEC Arena yesterday in Birmingham, England. COURTESY OF BIRMINGHAM2022.COM Jamaica’s captain and goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler (right) tussles for the ball with Australia’s goal defence Jo Weston during the Commonwealth Games netball final at the NEC Arena in Birmingham, England, yesterday. AP
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