The reign of NBC Radio 705 as champion of the Facey Trading Firms and Industrial Netball Tournament came to an end last Wednesday night at the Kingstown Netball Centre.{{more}}

And, it was the star studded Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture that silenced the 2011 and 2012 winners.

The pre-match mouthing, especially from the NBC Radio 705 staffers, never manifested itself on the court, as the Ministry’s team also had their vocal help on hand in the stands.

But the defending champions were not their usual selves without inspirational player Dellarice Duncan, and fell behind from the first quarter 11-6, and never recovered. The trend continued as Tourism, Sports and Culture, at the end of the second quarter, led 20-14 and the third at 28-18.

It was all over, bar the shouting, as the new champions were crowned with the score at 32-26, as they came true to form with the “Do 32” inscription on their uniform jerseys.

Making the shots count for Tourism, Sports and Culture were Janette Toney who scored 18 from 21 and Janette Christopher 14 from 20. Skiddy Francis-Crick netted all 26 goals for NBC Radio 705 from her 30 attempts.

Successful captain Vasha Adams told SEARCHLIGHT that they carefully analysed the strategy to get past the two time champion.

“ …We played our game…. We slowed it down …. We made shorter passes…. We are the better team,” she boasted.

It was more than a final, as the newly crowned champions were revenging a defeat handed to them in the preliminary round of the competition by NBC Radio 705.

In the semi-finals, Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture ousted Ministry of Education 26-21, while NBC Radio 705 nipped RSVG Police 41-40 in tense final seconds of play.

Ministry of Education took the third spot with a 41- 22 beating on RSVG Police.

But it was not the three top placed teams who received awards on the night at the brief presentation which followed the final. Admin Combine collected the Most Improved Team award and the Most Disciplined Team award went to Combined Insurance.

The Best Banner was won by Admin Combine and Best Dressed award went to Ministry of Transport and Works.

Zeron Murray of the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture stashed the Male Player of the Final trophy.

The Most Improved Player awardees were Karen Nichols – Admin Combine; Charlie Thomas – Combined Banks; Shanelle Weekes – Combined Insurance; Rochelle Franklyn – KFC; Sylvorne Harry – Ministry of Education; Grantley Toby – NBC Radio 705; Catesha Buntyn – Ministry of Transport and Works; Hazel Ann Foster – Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture and Jevorn Webb – RSVG Police.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association has been assured that the 2014 edition will once again get the backing of Facey Trading. That assurance came from Brand manager of Facey Trading Ltd Alpian Toney who spoke at last Wednesday’s closing and presentation ceremony.(RT)