JAMALCO, Liguanea, and Maxfield ‘B’ crowned themselves 2018 Netball Jamaica (NJ) Divisional Leagues champions by winning their respective finals at the Leila Robinson Courts on Sunday.

The Winston Nevers-coached JAMALCO were retaining their title with an exciting 47-38 win over the Sylvester Campbell-coached Tivoli in the Major ‘A’ League final. Both teams had met in the preliminary rounds where JAMALCO won 50-30.

Meanwhile, Campbell was looking to win the double after his Liguanea aggregation pulled away in the closing stages to beat the Christopher Smart-coached Ken’s Wild Flower 47-34 in the Major ‘B’ League final.

The JAMALCO and Tivoli clash has been going on for many years, and has always produced a keenly contested showdown. JAMALCO raced to an early 6-2 lead before ending the first quarter 13-9.

JAMALCO and Tivoli fought evenly in the second quarter with the shooters from both side trying to capitalise on scoring opportunities. Tivoli closed at 13-11 before JAMALCO through shooters Anna Kay Griffiths and Elaine Davis extended the lead to 27-18 at the interval.

The Tivoli aggregation cut the deficit, but still trailed 31-37 at the completion of the third quarter.

For JAMALCO, Anna Kay Griffiths netted 29 goals from 34 attempts, and Elaine Davis with 17 goals from 21 attempts, while for Tivoli, Shedeiky Hamilton-Barnes netted 30 goals from 37 attempts and Jodiann Ffrench-Kentish scored eight goals from 12 efforts. Anna Kay Griffiths was named the MVP of the match.

Meanwhile, the Major ‘B’ League final between Liguanea United and Ken’s Wild Flower was a very exciting encounter. Ken’s Wild Flower gained a close first-quarter lead 8-5 before Liguanea took control in the second quarter to lead 14-6. Ken’s Wild Flower fought back well and cut the lead to 17-13 at half-time.

Liguanea, through shooters Vanessa Jones and Tashieka Laird, extended their lead to 30-21 at the end of the third quarter. Ken’s Wild Flower produced a surprising burst in the fourth and final quarter, as they found their momentum and drew level 31-31 with Liguanea.

It was a wide open affair from then onwards, but Ken’s Wild Flower began making a number of mistakes as Liguanea applied the pressure as their opponents wilted to the quick approach of their opponents before going down to defeat 34-47.

Wing-attack Kay-Ann Cousins of Liguanea was voted the MVP of the final, while Jones netted 29 goals from 33 attempts, and Laird with 18 goals from 23 attempts for Liguanea. Kareem Allen scored 20 goals from 28 attempts, Stephanie Anderson with eight goals from nine efforts scored for Ken’s Wild Flower.

Maxfield ‘B’, coached by Wayne Wallace, captured the Minor League title with a narrow 23-20 win over Bethel Town, coached by Rasheed Josephs.

Scoring for Maxfield were Shanelle Bentley, with 18 goals from 25 attempts, while Jessica Taylor scored 14 goals from 17 attempts for Bethel Town.