Sunshine Girls upset Australia to book Commonwealth final spot

Jamaica's Sunshine Girls secured a dramatic 46-45 victory over world number one Australia in the Commonwealth Games netball semi-final in Glasgow, Scotland. The win propels the Jamaican team into the final for the second consecutive Games.

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Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls scored a sensational one goal 46-45 win over defending champions and world number one ranked Australia in Saturday’s semi-final of the netball competition at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The thrilling match saw Jamaica avenge a close loss to Australia from the previous Commonwealth Games. The Sunshine Girls led for much of the game, holding a three-goal advantage after the first quarter and a two-goal lead at halftime. Australia fought back to tie the score at 35-all entering the final quarter and even took a brief lead.

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The win was revenge for an equally close loss in the final four years ago in Birmingham, UK and saw the Jamaicans qualify for back-to-back finals.

Romelda Aiken-George was the top scorer for Jamaica with 29 goals from 32 attempts, supported by Shanice Beckford's 17 goals. For Australia, Kiera Austin scored 22 goals. The Jamaicans ultimately held on for the win despite Australia scoring the final three goals of the match.

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Jamaica led 23-21 at the half but Australia tied up the scores 35-all going into the fourth quarter before taking the lead 38-37 early in the fourth.

Jamaica will now face New Zealand in the gold medal match. New Zealand advanced by defeating England 61-54 in their semi-final. The Sunshine Girls previously lost to New Zealand 53-48 in a pool play match earlier in the week.

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Romelda Aiken-George led the Jamaican scoring with 29 goals from 32 attempts and Shanice Beckford scored 17 from 18 attempts.