Jamaicans crush Fiji, make statement

GOLD COAST: Netball giant Jamaica’s Jhaniele Fowler-Reid has cast a 196cm shadow over the tournament on the opening day of competition at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre yesterday.
Regarded as one of the world’s premier goal shooters, Fowler-Reid outscored Fiji all on her own, as Jamaica confirmed its reputation as a Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games medal contender, winning 88-30.
The Fijians were willing but they had no answer to Fowler-Reid, who shot 40 goals at 93 per cent accuracy before being replaced by Romelda Aiken at half-time.
Fiji coach Vicki Wilson said her side had no answer to Jamaica’s “two towers”, Fowler-Reid and Aiken. “Just put someone in that position who’s 196cm tall,” was all a bewildered Wilson could say, when asked how to stop Jamaica’s shooters.
In the second game of the opening session, goal shooter Jo Harten led England to a 74-28 win against Scotland.
But it was England’s defensive pair of Geva Mentor and captain Agbeze who were most impressive.
They forced Scotland’s attackers into wide positions and picked off any passes that were less than perfect.
The only sour note for World No.3 England was an injury to centre Serena Guthrie who left the game on crutches with a compression brace (moon boot) on her ankle. – gc2018