Adrian Frater, News Editor

Crystal's Ladonna Lamonth, who had a brilliant game in Sunday's final against Blazers A, leaps high to collect a pass. Lamonth scored 22 goals in Crystal's 37-31 win. - photo by Adrian Frater

WESTERN BUREAU:

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Crystal became $30,000 richer on Sunday afternoon when they defeated Blazers A 37-31 in the final of the St James Hart & Sons Senior Netball League at the Montego Bay Boys Club courts.

In the play-off for third place, between Angels A, who lost to Crystal in the semi-finals, and Pacers Juvenile, who went down the Blazers A in the other, the dazzling Angels ran away with the third-place money with an impressive 62-43 win.

The final, which lived up to expectation, in terms of quality and excitement, saw the more experienced Crystal playing a composed game throughout, winning the first quarter 11-9, drawing the second and third quarters 8-8 and 10-10 before running away with the final quarter 8-4.

"We have been using our experience to good effect all season and it worked out for us again today," said Gina Haughton, captain of the Crystal team. "We might not play with the flair of the other teams but we know how to get the job done," she said.

Ladonna Lamonth, who had an excellent game under the hoop for Crystal, emerged their top player with 22 goals. The veteran Rita Spence supported her well with 15 goals. Kerisa Kessna, with 21 goals, was the top performer for Blazers.

In the third place play-off, Angels A showed some of the spark that was missing from their semi-final loss to Crystal as they all but ran rings around Pacers Juveniles with Nicole Fletcher scoring a season-high 55 goals. Danielle Ellis, who sank 38 goals, was the only bright spark in the Juveniles' humbling defeat.

Back to the drawing board

"Had we played the semi-final with the purpose we showed today, we would have been the team contesting the final today," said Bridgette Brown, the captain of the Angels A team. "We will just have to go back to the drawing board and try to put things right for next season."

In looking back at the season, Winsome Barnes, president of the St James Netball Association, described it as one that was both challenging and successful. She said all the participating teams should be commended.

"It was a good season and we had no major incidents so we are thankful," said Barnes. "I would like to congratulate the champions and all the other competing teams for making it a successful season."