Sunshine Girls stay in contention after close win over Scotland

Shanice Beckford says Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls needed Wednesday’s “wake-up call” — a narrow 45-43 win over Scotland — in the Pool B match at the Hydro Arena during the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Scotland, ranked 10th in the world and urged on by loud home crowd support, outscored Jamaica 28-20 between the second and third quarters and led early in the fourth quarter before the experience of the visitors shone through. Beckford, who contributed 15 goals from 18 attempts, admitted after the game that they dodged a bullet.

“We are not quite pleased with our performance, but yes, a sigh of relief,” she said. “We were a bit slow to get out of the blocks today. I just think we were not quick in giving that first ball and we were a little bit disconnected out there.” She added: “I think we went away from [our] structure — we did come out with a game plan.

However, I’m happy that we stuck in there and grind it out. You need games like these to see where you are, and at the moment we’re not at our best. But I’m I’m happy with the way, and I’m happy with what the girls did out there.” Jamaica, who have won back-to-back games after a loss to New Zealand, have six points.

New Zealand, who are perfect from three matches, are also on six. Jamaica had opened their Commonwealth Games account by defeating Trinidad and Tobago 81-22, but lost 48-53 to New Zealand. The Sunshine Girls rebounded with a 55-49 win over Uganda before the two-goal victory over Scotland.

They are to end their first round schedule against Wales on Thursday. Beckford said they have to stick to their game plan against the Welsh team. “It’s just getting out of the blocks early, like really stamp our guard.

We’re not taking any team lightly, so it’s definitely going back to the drawing board, seeing what we didn’t put out on court, but get it right for the game [against Wales] and possibly go into the semi-finals with a stronger play structure.” On Wednesday, Jamaica, who improved their unbeaten run against Scotland to three games, started well and led 15-9 after the first quarter. But Scotland rallied to cut the deficit to 23-27 at half time then outscored Jamaica 12-8 to tie up the scores at 35-all at the end of the third quarter. Scotland’s momentum carried over into the fourth quarter when they took the lead but they were unable to build on it as the Jamaicans clawe…