Orchids, Hummingbirds sweep to Berger Elite league wins

THE 2016 Berger Elite League Netball competition got off to an interesting start inside the National Indoor Sport Centre on Thursday.

St. Ann Orchid and former champions Kingston Hummingbirds got off to winning starts.

The Janet Guy-coach Orchids got the better of the Under 21 Shiners 63-55 while the Marvette Anderson-coached Hummingbirds were an impressive 47-29 winner over defending champions Clarendon Gaters 47-29.

In the first game, Hummingbirds rushed into a 14-5 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Despite captain Kasey Evering playing well in defense to get her team competitive in the second quarter it was too much turnovers for her team as they got a lot of opportunities to score but goal shooter Taniel Roberts and goal attack, Marcella Thompson were finding the going tough.

For the next two quarters it was the same story as Hummingbirds continued to dominate the game.

Enough time

Coach Anderson was very pleased with her team's winning start.

"I am very proud of the ladies. This is our first game and we didn't have enough time to practice and get together as a team but I think they performed well.

Despite the loss, coach of the defending champions, Dalton Hinds was not too perturbed.

"We haven't play together as a team before and this was the first time they were actually playing together. We are very confident that we can retain the title and we are taking one game at a time," he said.

In the opening game, former national player Simone Forbes who has not played competitive netball for three years showed that she has not lost her zip as she brought back memories of former years with some acrobatic and brilliant plays.

The Young Shiners however did not give up as they stayed close to their opponent as only two points separated the teams after the first two quarters where the Orchid led 13-11 and 28-26.

The Orchids held on for their 63-55 win.