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Manchester Spurs back in Elite League final
July 15, 2025
Manchester Spurs booked their place in the Red Stripe Flavours Netball Jamaica Elite League final after a 36-35 win over St Ann Orchids in their playoff game at the Leila Robinson Courts on Sunday.
The Spurs now await the winner of the game between the Orchids and the Kingston Hummingbirds, who defeated St Catherine Racers 58-44 in the other playoff game.
Manchester Spurs assistant coach Shanell Samuda said after playing the Orchids in their final preliminary game last Friday, they anticipated another difficult match but trusted the championship mettle of their girls.
"We knew what we needed to do. We took it quarter by quarter. It was a tight game but our girls held it together."
Manchester led by three goals (9-6) after the first period and were ahead by five (19-14) at half time
However, the Orchids rallied in the third quarter to tie the score, and a ding-dong battle ensued, which ended with the scores tied at 27-27 at the end of the quarter.
In the fourth quarter the Spurs continued to edge in front but the Orchids were never more than a goal or two behind, even tied at times, but the Spurs took a two-goal advantage with just a few seconds remaining and saw out the game to book their place in a second straight final.
"We are back into a another final, and as defending champions we know it is going to be tough. But we are going back to training and be prepared, whether it's the Hummingbirds or the Orchids come July 27," Samuda said.
St Ann Orchids coach Kurt Dale said although they were solid defensively, they were let down by their offence and some questionable calls.
"We weren't disciplined early in the game and it led us to that stage, and in the end we got some tough calls from the umpire. We played them on Friday and lost by two and tonight (Sunday) we lost by one. I think we really held our own in defence but in attack, we let ourselves down, scoring only 35 goals," Dale said.
"It is pretty safe to say that we might get them next time. We just need to be more disciplined in attack and maintain our structure for longer periods," he added.
In the opening game between third-place finishers Kingston Hummingbirds and fourth-place St Catherine Racers, the Hummingbirds led for most of the match and booked a date against the Orchids in the semi-final playoff game on Friday June 25.
Although the teams were tied 13-13 after the first quarter, that was as close as the Racers got as the Hummingbirds jumped to a 30-23 at half time and 45-32 after the third period before going on to a convincing win.
Hummingbirds coach Jodian French Kentish said it was an excellent display from her girls.
"They stuck to the task. They listened to the instructions and they executed. It was a well played game.
"At the end of the first quarter we were tied but we kept building the momentum and increased the lead as the game progressed.
"At half time we told them to keep their composure and try to increase that lead and we only improved from there."
Racers shooter Simone Gordon had a horrendous night, shooting only 33 of 57 attempts, and coach Kadian Moore said it was an unfortunate off night for their usually reliable shooter.
"When the game gets tough, scoring is what is important, from the first whistle to the last. No matter how many balls the defenders win, we are not going to win if the shooters do not score.
"Unfortunately, some players started the season well but at the end they were disappointing. It was an off day for her (Gordon) this one. From the start of the season she has been playing tremendously but unfortunately tonight wasn't her night," the Racers coach said.
