Members of The Gleaner Company's netball team pose with the winner's trophy after defeating Wray and Nephew 23-12 in yesterday's final at the National Indoor Sports Centre. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

The Gleaner Company captured their first lien on the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA)/ Business House Junior League Trophy, with an easy 23-12 victory over Wray and Nephew, at the National Indoor Sports Centre yesterday.

The Gleaner began the match confidently as they strolled to a comfortable six-goal lead, 11-5, over their opponents at half-time.

The North Street-based team came out firing in the third quarter through captain Michelle Currey, who sank six of her game-high 15 goals in the period. The winners were also excellent on defence, courtesy goalkeeper Nicolette McLeary, goal defence Deborah Bennett and wing defence Felecia Roberts, who made a number of crucial interceptions.

This led The Gleaner in limiting Wray and Nephew's chances to add to their scoring, as well as outscoring their opponents 8-2 for a 19-7 lead at the end of the period.

The Gleaner maintained their advantage over Wray and Nephew in the fourth quarter, as both teams traded basket for basket.

Currey received solid support from goal shooter Sophia Davis, who scored eight goals from 15 attempts.

confident of victory

Peta-Gaye Clarke, with eight goals from 13 attempts, and Nordia Moyston were the scorers for Wray and Nephew.

Wayne Stewart, coach of The Gleaner, said he was always confident of a victory.

"It was a very easy victory for us," said Stewart. "I knew from the start that we were going to win because played them in the preliminary and we beat team easily."

He added: "It was a good performance from the girls because after we lost our first three matches, they decided that they we not going to lose any more games because they needed to win the championship and they did it. I am very proud of them."

Meanwhile, Sasher-Gaye Henry, coach of Wray and Nephew, said her team made too many errors.

"I think that we had a good chance of winning the game, but my girls didn't come out and play the way I wanted them to because we made too many errors," said Henry, who is a member of Jamaica's Sunshine Girls.

"I think that The Gleaner wanted it more than us because they outplayed us in all departments today," Henry added.

Both teams will be promoted the Intermediate B League next season.

Jamaica Infrastructure Organi-sation won the Intermediate B title by defeating VMBS 33-21 in the final.