Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls defeated South Africa 55-47 inside the National Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday (January 18) and took a 1-0 advantage in the three-test Margaret Beckford Netball Series.

In the first game, the roles were reversed as South Africa’s Under-21 dismantled the Jamaican Under-21 team 61-31.

Goal shooter Shimona Jok led the Jamaican senior team to victory netting 38 goals of her 39 attempts. 

With her husband, Australian basketball player Buay Jok in attendance, Shimona overpowered and outsmarted the South African defenders and was duly named Player of the Match.

Jamaica’s goal attack Shanice Beckford had 11 goals from 12 attempts and substitutes Rhea Dixon and Simone Gordon scored three goals each from four attempts.

South Africa’s goal shooter Rolene Struetker led the way for the visitors scoring 17 from 18 attempts, Elmere Van Der Bere netted 18 from 20 attempts and Kamagelo Maseko scored eight goals.

In the curtain raiser, South Africa’s Under-21 turned up the heat on their Jamaican counterparts winning 61-31 on the back of 44 goals from 48 attempts from Giada Prinsloo and 18 from 13 attempts for Michelle Van Der Merwe.

Kellian Hunter responded for Jamaica with 16 goals from 20 attempts and Nickiesha Powell with 10 goals from 11 attempts.

South Africa ran out easy winners after a poor display from the Jamaicans in which they scored only four goals in the third quarter and six in the fourth quarter. The quarters were 11-13; 21-29; 25-47 and 31-61.

The teams will return to action on Wednesday, January 22 and conclude their series on Saturday, January 25.