JAMAICA'S SUNSHINE Girls thrashed Singapore 91-35 to set up a quarter-final clash with Samoa at the World Netball Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday.
In a one-sided Pool C contest played at the Trusts Stadium, Jamaica dominated 26-11 at the first break, 47-21 at the half and 67-26 at the end of the third quarter.
Romelda Aiken was impressive, scoring 64 goals from 71 attempts, while Elaine Davis, who only played in the third quarter due to her troublesome knee, got 17 from 21.
Simone Forbes netted six from seven and Christina Solomon got four from seven.
Coach Connie Francis was pleased with her team's effort. "It was a good, solid performance overall from us," said Francis. "We came here to score a lot of goals but, just as importantly, to also restrict the number of goals that the opposition scored.
"I think we did that quite wel there is still work to do. We still gave away too much ball. I thought Singapore were worthy opponents though and they have really improved, which is good for world netball."
Looking ahead to the quarter-final clash, Francis said Jamaica have to improve.
"Now we know we have to step up. Samoa will be a very tough opponent and we will need to lift our game."
In other games, Malawi stopped Wales 55-52, Barbados defeated Malaysia 62-38, Australia crushed Scotland 93-20, Cook Islands outscored Fiji 42-36, Samoa edged Trinidad and Tobago 52-48, New Zealand trounced Botswana 76-20 and England beat South Africa 62-32.