Jamaica's captain Simone Forbes (second right) prepares to make a pass as South Africa's Precious Mthembu (right) moves in for a block during the final of National Commercial Bank (NCB) Sunshine Savers Tri-nation netball series at the National Indoor Sports Centre last night. Jamaica won 61-47. - colin hamilton

Jamaica's Sunshine Girls registered a hard-fought 61-47 victory over South Africa in the final of the National Commercial Bank Sunshine Savers Tri-nation netball series at the National Indoor Sports Centre last night.

The Jamaicans came out firing in the first quarter as they quickly took an 18-11 lead at the end of the period.

However, the South Africans rallied strongly in the second period through their goal shooter Claudia Basson, who scored 10 of her 34 goals during the period, but the Jamaicans held on to a 29-26 lead at half-time.

Jamaica's coach Connie Francis introduced a number of under-21 players at the start of the third quarter and they outscored the South Africans (12-11) for a 41-37 lead going into the final quarter.

Top scorer

Romelda Aiken, who was the top scorer for the Sunshine Girls in the win over the South Africans in their last encounter, stepped up her game in the fourth period, as she scored eight straight goals to extend the home team's advantage to 12 goals (at 56-44). This led the South African coach, Carin Strauss, to a call a timeout with less than four minutes remaining. However, the timeout did not stop the Sunshine Girls as they scored goal after goal to romp to a comfortable victory.

Aiken finished the match with 40 goals from 45 attempts and received solid support from captain Simone Forbes who sank 21 goals from 25 tries. Tsakane Mbewe was the next best scorer for the South Africans with 13 goals from 18 attempts.

Francis said she was satisfied with her team's efforts.

"I think this was a gusty performance ... really a good effort by the girls," said Francis. " I also believe it was a good effort by the South African team because they came out and they really challenged us tonight," she added.

"It is good to know that we have quality players who can stand their ground and keep their composure and know that it is a close game and we have to keep our lead and not lose it."

Meanwhile, Strauss said: "I don't think we played well in the third and fourth quarters because out legs weren't getting us where we wanted to go but I am happy with the players.

"I think the Jamaicans played well ... it was a nice high-scoring game for the spectators and I think we really tried our best tonight."

Jamaica's goal shooter Romelda Aiken (right) catches the ball ahead of South Africa's Simone van Heerden during the final of National Commercial Bank Sunshine Savers Tri-nation netball series at the National Indoor Sports Centre last night. Jamaica won 61-47. - colin hamilton