Mon | Nov 25, 2024

MOEY capture Major League ‘A’ netball title

Published:Monday | October 28, 2024 | 12:08 AMRaymond Graham/Gleaner Writer
Members of the RJRGLEANER team who defeated Appliance Traders Limited 43-30 to win the Major League ‘B’ final at the Business House end of season finals, at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday night. From left are: Paula Ann Porter-Jones, Mal
Raymond Graham photo
Members of the RJRGLEANER team who defeated Appliance Traders Limited 43-30 to win the Major League ‘B’ final at the Business House end of season finals, at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday night. From left are: Paula Ann Porter-Jones, Malysha Kelly, Gabrielle Wilson, Nyeka Byfield, Mellissa Mills, Tamara Hylton (captian), Jenel Thomas, Shatasha Paline, Janel Russell and Melissa Pinnock.

MINISTRY OF Education and Youth ‘A’ (MOEY) were crowned Major League ‘A’ champions on Saturday night as the curtain came down on the 2024 Business House netball season inside the National Indoor Sports Centre.

In the final game of the the day, the Nardia Hanson-coached MOEY denied coach Winston Nevers a trio of titles by turning back Scotia ‘A’ 50-46. Coach Nevers had earlier won two finals as his Scotia ‘B’ team get the better of Grace Kennedy in the Intermediate ‘A’ final 49-46, and RJRGLEANER Group blew away Appliance Traders Limited (ATL) 43- 30 in the Major League ‘B’ final.

In the feature game, a close battle was expected between MOEY and Scotia ‘A’. Scotia were the slight favourites following their semi-final win over defending champions National Housing Trust four days earlier.

Led by goal attack Kestina Sturridge, along with goal shooter Vanessa Walker and centre Paula Thompson in attack, good defensive work from goal keeper Shannika ‘Bolt’ Johnson and goal defence Zaida Green, it was MOEY who took control of the game early, leading 11-8 after the first quarter. They maintained their three-goal advantage at the half-time break with a 25- 22 lead.

The Scotia team reduced the deficit during the third quarter as goal shooter Amanda Pinkney, with good support from wing attack Naudia Brown and centre Samantha Mundle, kept them in touch as they went into the final break with a deficit of one goal with MOEY leading 34 33.

With Petal Smith sharing goal attacking duties with Sturridge, MOEY regained their composure in the final quarter to pull away from their rivals for a 50-46 win.

Coach Hanson was happy for her team’s success. “ It was a very good game. It could have gone either way. The girls are excited that we are champions. We knew that Scotia would have come out hard on us, so we ensured we controlled our centre passes and made sure we took the lead early to put them in a chasing mode, and it paid dividends,” said Hanson.

RJRGLEANER too hot

In the Major League ‘B’ final, RJRGLEANER were too hot for their rivals ATL, as the news ladies were dominant from start to finish.

Led by captain Tamara Hylton at wing attack, Melissa Mills at centre, Nyeka Byfield at goal attack, goal shooter Janel Russell and the experienced Malysha Kelly playing the goal keeping role, they were in total control from start to finish. They had quarterly scores of 17-5, 26-16, 35-21 and 43-30 for their big win.

Earlier, coach Nevers took home his first title of the night when Scotia ‘B’ got by Grace Kennedy 49-40 in the Intermediate ‘A’ final.

In the opening game of the day, UHWI ‘B’ got by Sagicor ‘B’ 27- 25 for the junior title, with HEART/NSTA Trust winning the other final on the day after their narrow 44- 43 win over Ministry of Health and Wellness to capture the Intermediate ‘B’ title.