Sloppy second-half play from Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls resulted in them losing to New Zealand in the final of the 2020 Vitality Nations Cup at the Copper Box Arena in England on Sunday.

A rash of turnovers, many of them unforced and contact penalties saw the Caribbean side fall away to a 67-56 defeat to the Silver Ferns. This after being even with the winners at half time.

Following a strong opening when they were down 16-15 at the end of the first quarter, Jamaica rallied to win the second quarter 15-14 and go into half-time 30-30.

However, any chance that Jamaica would maintain the intensity in the third quarter went out the window as the Caribbean women were sloppy with the ball, committing turnovers that allowed the Silver Ferns to pull away and win the quarter 19-11 and open up an eight-point lead.

Jamaica made a better fight of it in the fourth quarter but New Zealand’s efficiency kept them at bay as the Silver Ferns outscored Jamaica 18-15.

Jhanielle Fowler was outstanding for Jamaica scoring 46 of her 47 attempts. Shanice Beckford also shot well, scoring 10 of her 11 attempts as her team tried in vain to rally.

Maia Wilson scored 44 of 47 attempts for New Zealand, who were a cut above Jamaica for the second half of the match.

Jamaica committed 30 turnovers during the match to New Zealand’s 21 and like the first time they met in the competition, Jamaica committed 58 penalty contacts to New Zealand’s 26.