Sprinter Usain Bolt waves the Jamaican flag as he cheers on the Sunshine Girls during their Commonwealth Games netball match against New Zealand at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn

GLASGOW, Scotland:

Not even the presence of sprinting royalty Usain Bolt could lift Jamaica's Sunshine Girls in their crucial face-off against defending Commonwealth Games champions New Zealand yesterday, as the Silver Ferns made the most of untidy Jamaican execution to win 50 - 42 at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.

The Jamaicans made a game of it for three quarters and about three minutes; even taking led 24-23 into half-time. However, a string of turnovers and poor decisions swung the contest in favour of the ruthless New Zealand team, with the result sending Jamaica into a semi-final against world number-one-ranked Australia on Saturday.

It was the game they were hoping to avoid, but one they are facing with the greatest of optimism and determination, if the post-match comments are anything to go by.

easier opposition

New Zealand will face the easier opposition, at least on paper, in number three-ranked England, also on Saturday, but Jamaica's coach Minnette Reynolds was quite cool about facing the Aussies, while thanking the track stars for their support and inviting them to return to a final that she expects Jamaica to be taking part in on Sunday.

"They have been supporting us a lot on the court, and off court, and we certainly welcome it, and we will welcome them back to the finals when we get there," said Reynolds, who is hoping, along with technical director Jill Scott, to lead perennial fourth-place finishers Jamaica to its second medal in netball at the Commonwealth Games, after bronze in 2002.

Bolt and the other track stars in attendance, including Kerron Stewart, Novlene Williams-Mills and Kimberly Williams did their best to cheer on the girls, waving flags and shouting encouragement with Jhaniele Fowler - Reid's 35 goals from 39 attempts and another sterling performance from goal shooter-turned-goalkeeper Romelda Aiken (5 defensive rebounds, 1 interception and 2 deflections) keeping them in striking distance.

unforced errors

"I think in this game, we made too many errors, and as a result, it cost us the game, so it's really good that we made those now and not in the semi-final. It's not over, we just need to go back, watch the tape and try to correct all the unforced errors we committed today," Reynolds added.

"We need to be more patient, steady, and stay in control, keep fighting to the end. The girls have learned their lessons and we are ready to go for the semi-final. We have put that behind us; we will head into training and work on all the things we need to correct," said Reynolds.

"We started out really flat, but we picked it up in the game and it was just really a few errors that cost us but we will be looking at all the good things we did in this game and move on to the next one," added Aiken.

Fowler-Reid is also looking forward to the semi-final against Australia and believes the team

"It was a well, fought game, I thought my teammates pushed hard, we made some errors and that cost us the game, but I am happy we are in the semis. We are a confident team and we will push hard against Australia," said Fowler-Reid.

Minette Reynolds - file

Jamaica's goalkeeper Romelda Aiken (right) defends as New Zealand's goal shooter Ellen Halpenny prepares to shoot, while goal defence Kasey Evering (centre) looks on during their Commonwealth Games netball match at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn