THE Jamaican Suns have made it two wins from as many tests, this time defeating the English Thorns 42-38.

In a much tighter and at times more even game than Wednesday’s series opener, a strong back end to the third term from the Jamaicans ultimately proved to be the difference as the English ran out of time to fully pull off the comeback.

England went with a very different starting line up to what they did on Wednesday, while Jamaica went with the same starting seven, and off the back of a bit of defence pressure it was the Thorns who took the early lead.

The English were really picking up the defensive turnovers unlike early in Wednesday’s game, but the Jamaicans were hot on their heels, and attacking contacts were proving to be a real problem for the Thorns.

Jamaica did not have it all their own way in attack either though, but did work their way back into the game to eventually level thigs up.

However with both sides turning it over in the middle third, only eight goals were scored between the two sides in the opening half of the term.

Much like in game one, the movement in transition from the Jamaicans grew in pace as the quarter progressed, while England’s dropped in pace. As such the Jamaicans managed to take a small lead late in the quarter, and as such took a three goal lead into the first change.

The Jamaican defensive pressure really lifted at the start of the second term, making it very difficult for England to transition down the court into attack. However the English then retook a bit of momentum in the game, and as such got the margin down to a mere two goals, but then the Jamaicans quickly retook control and restored their four goal lead.

As much as James Thomson-Boston and James McClelland were trying to keep their side in the game, the vertical jump ability agility of Kurt Dale, Ramon Parkes and Aniffe Foster meant that not even Julien Vincent’s height advantage was making a difference.

The Jamaicans extended their lead out further as the quarter progressed as the Thorns continued to waste opportunities in attack. The Jamaican lead ultimately sat at five goals at the main break.

The English made a strong start to the second half and got within three goals of their visitors, but Jamaica did not take too long to retake control of the game and restore their half time buffer.

England was getting a little bit predictable in attack, which was making it easy for the Jamaican defenders to intercept. For the first time in the game Jamaica were truly able to properly extend their lead late in the third term, and as such took an eight goal lead into the final change.

England again got the better of the starts in the final term, and slowly but surely worked their way towards eliminating the deficit. However Jamaica steadied and were quick to restore their lead. It did not go all their way though as Foster had to come off the court in the back half of the final quarter due to injury.

England then retook momentum for a bit but were unable to keep it for long enough to fully eliminate the deficit. They ultimately left themselves with too much to do in too little time as Jamaica came away with another win.  

ENGLAND 7 |  9  | 10 | 12 (38)
JAMAICA  10 | 11 | 12 | 9 (42)

STARTING SEVENS

England

GS: Julien Vincent
GA: Luke Owen
WA: Tommy Wiseman
C: James Thomson-Boston
WD: James O’Connor
GD: James McClelland
GK: Ky Lewis

Jamaica

GS: Raheem Wallace
GA: Kurt Dale
WA: Marlon McCallum
C: Naturi Jackson
WD: Ragjhon Brown
GD: Aniffe Foster
GK: Ramon Parkes