Team Jamaica put up a valiant fight but were eventually beaten 3-2 by New Zealand in their Davis Cup World Group two playoff at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre on Sunday. 

Despite a spirited effort from the home team, the kiwis secured victory in the decisive singles 

The tie was locked at 1-all after Saturday’s singles matches, but on the resumption on Sunday New Zealand went in-front 2-1 when their doubles duo of Ajeet Rai and Finn Reynolds brushed aside the Jamaican pair of John Chin and Nicholas Gore,  6-1, 6-2 .

Jamaica came storming back when top player, Blaise Bicknell, delivered a clinical 6-2, 6-4 win over rai in the reverse singles to level the tie at 2-all. 

However, the decisive singles match saw Jamaica’s Randy Phillips taking the first set 6-3, before Jack Lowti took the next two sets 6-3, 6-3 to seal the victory for New Zealand.

The result means New Zealand will play in a world group two tie in September, while Jamaica are relegated to group three.