Robert Bailey, Star Writer

Jamaica's Under-21 netballers suffered their second consecutive series whitewash to the Australian Under-21 team, after they were beaten 55-39 in the final match in a three-Test series, for a 3-0 series whitewash, at G.C. Foster College in St Catherine yesterday.

The junior Sunshine Girls lost the opening match of the series 60-27, and the second game 52-26.

They lost a three-Test series 3-0 to the Australian Institute of Sport Under-21 side last year.

The young Sunshine Girls began the match tentatively, which resulted in six turnovers in the first period, as they trailed the Australians 17-8 at the end of the quarter.

The Aussies, with a watertight defence and quick one-two passing, took advantage of a very flat Jamaican attacking line-up, as they outscored the hosts (12-11) for a 29-19 lead at half time.

leading scorers

In the third quarter, C. Lloyd Walker, coach of Jamaica brought on wing attack Patricia McCulla to replace Vanessa Walker. The move quickly paid dividends for the hosts, as they look control of the majority of the third stanza, with swift off-the-ball movements reducing the deficit to five goals at (34-29) with less than three minutes remaining in period.

Jamaica, however, had no answer for Australia's goal shooter Sophie Craft in the fourth quarter, as she scored nine of her team-high 28 goals in that period. Craft received good support from Caitlin Bassett (21 goals from 27 tries) and Ashlee Howard (nine goals from 12 attempts).

Goal attack Crystal Gordon (28 goals from 33 attempts) and Jhaniele Fowler (five goals from six tries) were the leading scorers for the Jamaicans.

Despite his team's defeat, Walker said he was proud of the effort.

"I think that the players have learned a lot from this tournament, because I believe that we benefited a lot more from this series than the Australians did," said Walker.

Meanwhile, Australian coach Sophie McKinnis, said:

"I think this was tough game for us today because there were times throughout the match when we were a bit flat and the Jamaicans made the most of these opportunities."