National Netball Tournament up in numbers

When the 2018 FLOW National Netball Club Tournament opened last Sunday at the Kingstown Netball Centre, 30 teams, six more than in 2017, were listed in the four divisions.

But indications are that more units are being encouraged to enter the Development Division, referred to as Division Four.

Six outfits are set to contest the top flight – Division One, with 10 in Division Two, the same number in Division Three, and four and counting in Division Four.

President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association (SVGNA) Doris Mc Intosh, in welcoming the teams, stated “It is my fervent hope that you will have fun as you play each game in the spirit of true sportsmanship, and that when the curtains come down on this year’s tournament, you would all look back and express satisfaction that it would have been indeed a truly worthwhile experience.

“Let us work together to make 2018 a truly memorable one…. Let us renew our energies and work towards raising the standard of netball in our country.”

Mc Intosh said her executive is doing its part in trying to take netball forward and called on the players to assist in the process.

First Honours

In the adjudication of the Best Dressed Team awards, it was the Maple Club, coming in one, two and three.

Taking the top honours were Metrocint General Insurance Company Maple, who are also the reigning Division One league champions. Second were Island Blends Maple and third, SVG General Services Maple.

Copping the best banner prize were SVG General Services Strikers; French Verandah X-Ceed – second and Q-Tech Solution were adjudged third.

Match Results

Following the opening ceremony, reigning double crowned Division Three champions OSCO Ball Warriors got their act going for 2018, by defeating Blue Horizon Pacers 32-17 in the opening salvo.

Sunday’s second match, which was the featured encounter, resulted in the SVG male team coming up with a 45-39 win over their counterparts from Grenada.

Matches were also played on Monday and Tuesday.

On Monday, there was a double win for the X-Ceed set-up, as X-Ceed Sports Club dumped New Era Pepper Stars, 26-8 in Division Three and French Verandah X-Ceed bettered Everready Future Stars, 59-25.

And, on Tuesday, Sion Hill Junior Netball Team swamped Jaguars Netters team 34 goals to 2 in the developmental Division Four; then Green Hill Sports & Culture Club outscored National Properties Netters – 42 to 26, in Division Two.(RT)