Australia’s Commonwealth Games netball campaign has been dealt a blow, with the Diamonds falling to Jamaica in a thrilling pool match in Birmingham.
Key points:
- The Diamonds led by six goals heading into the final quarter
- Jamaica captain Jhaniele Fowler was outstanding with 47 goals
- The Diamonds will play either England or New Zealand in the semi-finals
Jamaica trailed by as many as six goals heading into the final quarter, but finished in emphatic fashion to overhaul the Diamonds with a 57-55 victory.
It is the first time in Commonwealth Games history that Jamaica has defeated Australia in netball.
The win means unbeaten Jamaica top Group A ahead of the Diamonds, who will play either England or New Zealand in the semi-finals.
Jamaica captain Jhaniele Fowler, who plays for West Coast Fever in Super Netball, played a starring role in her team’s victory with 47 goals.
Jamaica were rewarded for their persistence in their shock win over Australia. (Getty Images: Matthew Lewis)
Shanice Beckford contributed a valuable 10-goal game.
Gretel Bueta led the Diamonds with 36 goals, while Steph Wood added 19.
Fowler was unstoppable for Jamaica, with no one in the Diamonds team able to counter his size and strength.
Jamaica’s game plan was evident from the outset: get the ball to Fowler early and often, and by any means necessary.
It turned center third into a battleground as players hit the deck on numerous occasions.
The Diamonds hadn’t lost a quarter all tournament, but after Fowler did what he wanted, Jamaica jumped out to a 7-3 lead.
The Diamonds clawed their way back into the contest with Bueta matching Fowler’s 10 goals in the first quarter as they took a one-goal lead into the first break.
They began to dominate in the second quarter to open up a 27-23 lead but, to the delight of the crowd, Jamaica stormed home to score at the long break.
The third quarter was dominated by the Diamonds, who jumped out to a six-goal lead before Jamaica’s late surge in the final term.
ABC/AAP