Orchids rally to claim semi-final spot Defeat St Catherine Racers in Red Stripe Flavours Elite League netball

St Ann Orchids recorded their first win of the Red Stripe Flavours Netball Elite League season, a nail-biting 50-49 victory over St Catherine Racers at National Indoor Sports Centre on Sunday.

Kestina Sturridge, with 34 goals from 37 attempts, and Aaliyah Hibbert, with 16 from 21 attempts, led the fightback for the Orchids, who trailed by six (26-20) at the halftime interval.

"It was two desperate teams trying to get the win. We both had not won a game, and I think the game reflected that. But we stuck to the hard moments and came out on top," said Orchids’ coach Chad James.

He now believes they must improve mentally to take on title-favourites Manchester Spurs in Friday's semi-final.

"Mentally, I think that's where the shift needs to come from. We have been building and playing better every week, and I think we are the best defensive team as we have kept all the teams to their lowest score. So defensively, we are solid. I think converting the defensive game is where we need to get better," he added.

For the Racers, Simone Gordon had 27 goals from 32 attempts, Amara Wilmot 14 from 18, and Kelsey Jonas eight from eight.

Racers coach Rasheed Joseph said indiscipline cost them the game.

"I believe we were the better team overall. We played a relatively good first half, where we were leading by at least six goals.

"However, in the second half, and I am not sure if it's fatigue, but you saw places and times when the indiscipline really got back in, and that has been plaguing us for the entire season," he said.

Manchester Spurs ended the regular season atop the standings with maximum 12 points from four matches while defending champions Kingston Hummingbirds were second on nine points after three wins from four games.

Despite finishing with one win and three points each, Racers finished third ahead of the Orchids in fourth, with a better goal difference.

On Friday, Manchester Spurs will take on the Orchids in one semi-final while the Racers and Hummingbirds will face off in the other.