Hummingbirds turn back Spurs in Elite netball final

by

July 28, 2025

Photo

Tracyann Francis (right) of Kingston Hummingbirds catches a pass while being pressured by Dhanyel Johnson of St Ann Orchids during Netball Jamaica’s Red Stripe Flavours Elite League semi-final match inside the National Arena on Friday. Francis was named MVP of last night’s final.

Members of the Kingston Hummingbirds team who won the Red Stripe Flavours Netball Jamaica Elite League title at the National Arena last night. The Hummingbirds defeated defending champions Manchester Spurs 52-50 in the final.

Kingston Hummingbirds defeated defending champions and favourites Manchester Spurs 52-50 in the final of the Red Stripe Flavours Netball Jamaica Elite League at the National Arena last night.

The Jodian French Kentish-coached team started strong, and held the defending champions to a 16-16 tie at the end of the first quarter and 28-28 at half time.

The Hummingbirds started to separate themselves in the third quarter and were 43-36 at the end of the period.

The defending champions reduced the deficit to two, 50-48, in the powerplay but the Hummingbirds held their nerve and saw out the game for a deserving victory on the night.

After see her team upset the odds to go all the way, coach Kentish said there were no words to express herself.

"I am absolutely elated. Words can't express how I feel. We ended almost at the bottom of the table and to come out on top is a really good feeling.

"We started strong but the game was close throughout. We were underdogs. Manchester hadn't lost a game all season, so the pressure was more on them.

"We came into the game more relaxed and the girls had the confidence. They were ready to go and they showed that," she said.

She added that it felt good to be a winning coach, and looks forward to repeating next season.

"I was in the final last year and lost out. So it feels good to be the winning coach," she added.

Manchester Spurs coach Dalton Hinds, said their opponents were the better team on the day.

"Nothing went wrong. Not happy that we did not win. But I have said from day one that any of the four teams could have won the competition.

"However the Hummingbirds had a better night, especially shooting. We had an off night. We weren't as clinical with shooting as we were in other games.

"But don't take anything away from Hummingbirds. I think they deserved to win. We had the opportunity to pull level to go into extra time but it was just not our night," he stated.

New champions Hummingbirds took home $350,000, second place Spurs $200,000 and third place Orchids $100,000.

Final MVP Tracy Ann Francis pocketed $10,000.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com