Jamaica's goal attack Crystal Gordon (centre) collects the ball ahead of the England defensive pair of Sam Perry (GK) and Ebony Chambers (GD) in the final game of their three-test series at the G.C. Foster College yesterday. England won the game 46-43. - Peta-Gaye Clachar

Jamaica's Under-21 netballers failed to registered their first whitewash on home soil after going down 46-43 to England in their final game of a three Test-series last night at the G.C. Foster College in St Catherine.

However, the Jamaicans won the series 2-1, following victories on Monday and Tuesday, 49-33 and 43-29, respectively.

Crystal Gordon led the way for the young Sunshine Girls with 32 goals from 34 attempts. She received solid support from captain Christina Solmon eight from nine and Vanessa Walker three from five.

Jo Harten had 29 goals from 40 attempts, Alex Kirk scored nine goals from 12 tries and Kristy Delves eight goals from 12 attempts were the scorers for England.

poor first quarter

C. Lloyd Walker, coach of Jamaica, blamed his team defeat on a poor first-quarter performance.

"I think that we lost the game in the first period because we turned the ball over too many times," he said.

The Jamaicans began the match terribly and committed eight turnovers, which resulted in them trailing their opponents 13-6 at the end of the first period.

The Jamaicans did make some inroads in the second half, they closing the gap to 16-19 with three minutes remaining in the period. However, England rallied strongly to end to the quarter on a 7-3 run for a 26-19 lead at half-time.

The Jamaicans came out firing on all cylinders in the third quarter, as they stepped up their defence, which led to Gordon scoring eight goals, as the hosts outscored their rivals 9-2 to tie the game at 28-28 with five minutes remaining. However, the English youngsters fought back gallantly to take a 33-31 lead at the end of the period.

The fourth period was an exciting contest with both teams exchanging the lead on four occasions, but the English team held their nerves down the stretch, and eventually coasted home for their first win of the series.

The Jamaicans recently lost a series 3-0 to Australia's Under-21 team last month at the same venue.

Both teams are using the series as part of their preparations for the World Youth Netball Championships, which will be held in the Cook Islands in August.