Jamaica’s netballers created history at the 2023 CAC Games on Friday when they defeated Trinidad and Tobago 50-36 to win the first ever gold medal in the sport at the games.

The squad comprised of mainly next-generation players outscored their Trinidadian opponents 12-10, 11-6, 15-11 and 12-9 in what was perhaps the Jamaicans’ most competitive match of the competition.

Simone Gordon scored 41 goals from 43 attempts for the gold medallists with Rebekah Robinson scoring 11 goals from her 13 attempts.

Afeisha Noel sank 24 of her 26 attempts. She was supported by the sterling efforts of Joelisa Cooper, who was perfect from the circle with her 12 goals.

The Jamaicans were dominant throughout the tournament defeating Barbados 62-34 and then demolishing the Cayman Islands 116-10. They scored more than 100 points against the Dominican Republic who were swamped 110-7 before trouncing St Vincent and the Grenadines in their penultimate match of the series.

Trinidad and Tobago, meanwhile, defeated the Dominican Republic 108-10, Barbados 50-47, and the Cayman Islands 90-12 before suffering their first loss against the Jamaicans.

In the play-off for the bronze medal St Vincent and the Grenadines edged Barbados 51-50.

Mary-Ann Frederick topped the scoring for the bronze medallists with 40 goals with Shellisa Davis adding the other 11.

Jada Smith led the scoring for Barbados with 26 goals while Latonia Blackman adding 24 in the valiant effort.

The Cayman Islands defeated the Dominican Republic 51-33 in the playoff for fifth and sixth.