Jamaica (56) defeats Australian Diamonds (55)

 

The Jamaican Sunshine Girls have leveled the Series against the Australian Diamonds with a thrilling one goal victory in Kingston this morning. The 56-55 loss was the final Test in the Diamonds 2009 international schedule.

 

After their grueling international campaign coach Norma Plummer used her entire bench in the match with all 12-Diamonds taking the court. Wing defence Renae Hallinan left the court in the second quarter with an ankle injury while captain Sharelle McMahon did not finish the game, rested after she experienced knee soreness during the final quarter.

 

With their 2009 international season finished, the Australian Diamonds depart Kingston separately tomorrow for a well-deserved break.

 

Australian Diamonds shooting statistics

 

Catherine Cox 16/22 @ 73%

Susan Pratley 5/6 @ 83%

Sharelle McMahon 22/25 @ 88%

Natalie Medhurst 12/16 @ 75%

 

 

“It was a pretty tough encounter. We were going goal for goal. They started off pretty much on fire and there wasn’t much in it again up until half-time.”

“We made a couple of changes after losing Renae Hallinan with an ankle injury in the second quarter.”

“We changed the whole team at half-time which gave us a really big injection, really moved us forward.”

“I certainly think Sharelle was up there with one of our best players tonight along with Kim Green and Nat von Bertouch.”

 

Diamonds starting positions:

 

GS – Catherine Cox

GA - Sharelle McMahon (Captain)

WA - Kimberlee Green

C - Natalie von Bertouch (Vice Captain)

WD - Renae Hallinan

GD - Mo`onia Gerrard

GK - Bianca Chatfield

Rebecca Bulley

Susan Fuhrmann

Natalie Medhurst

Lauren Nourse

Susan Pratley

 

 

GS – Catherine Cox

GA - Sharelle McMahon

WA - Kimberlee Green

C - Natalie von Bertouch

WD - Renae Hallinan (Left the court with ankle injury replaced by Rebecca Bulley)

GD - Mo`onia Gerrard

GK - Bianca Chatfield

Rebecca Bulley

Susan Fuhrmann

Natalie Medhurst

Lauren Nourse

Susan Pratley

 

Q3

 

GS – Sharelle McMahon

GA - Natalie Medhurst

WA – Lauren Nourse

C - Kimberlee Green

WD - Natalie von Bertouch

GD - Rebecca Bulley

GK - Susan Fuhrmann

Catherine Cox

Susan Pratley

Renae Hallinan

Bianca Chatfield

Mo`onia Gerrard

 

Q4

 

GS – Sharelle McMahon (Left the court with knee soreness, replaced by Susan Pratley)

GA - Natalie Medhurst

WA – Lauren Nourse

C - Kimberlee Green

WD - Natalie von Bertouch

GD - Rebecca Bulley

GK - Susan Fuhrmann

Catherine Cox

Susan Pratley

Renae Hallinan

Bianca Chatfield

Mo`onia Gerrard

 

 by quarter scores:

 

Q1 – Diamonds 14, Jamaica 15

Q2 – 26-28

Q3 – 43-41

Q4 – 55-56