Better showing by host country SVG in 2009 CBN School Games

Host, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is certain that they will not finish last, as was the case in recent outings, when the doors close on the 2009 Canadian Bank Note (CBN) Winlott Inc. Windward Islands School Games tomorrow.{{more}}

St. Vincent and the Grenadines leads the way in both Football and Netball, having so far played unbeaten.

On Wednesday, the footballers, with an improved performance, made it two out of two with a 4-1 drubbing of St. Lucia. A brace by Cornelius Stewart and one each from Curtland Williams and Azhino Solomon gave the Vincentians the cushion.

Today will see the conclusion of Football and Netball, as St. Vincent and the Grenadines faces fierce rival Grenada in both. SVG needs only a draw against the Grenadians to take the Football trophy, as Grenada was beaten 1-2 by Dominica, also on Wednesday.

In Netball, SVG took care of St. Lucia 48-19 and Dominica 48-21, while Grenada outpointed St. Lucia 40-29 and Dominica 43-33.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines had a one nil win over Dominica in Football, thanks to a late second half strike from Shemmol Trimmingham, in their first outing. It was a reprieve for Trimmingham who turned from villain to hero, as he had earlier missed from the penalty spot. It was a less than impressive showing by the locals, granted a core of the Under-20 squad that placed second in the CFU finals back in January was on show.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is also holding its own in Male Basketball. After losing to Grenada 40-53, the Vincentians rebounded to beat Dominica 81-75 in overtime. And, Grenada edged out St. Lucia 55-50 and Dominica beat St. Lucia 59-52.

In Female Basketball, SVG won from St. Lucia 46-41, Dominica 60-29 and Grenada beat Dominica 57-54 and St. Lucia 40-29. In Male Volleyball, the host went under 3-2 to Dominica, and Grenada blanked St. Lucia three sets to nil in Male Volleyball.

Also, the Dominica versus St. Lucia match was abandoned because of rain and SVG blanked Grenada three sets to nil, 25-16, 26-24, 25-22.

The host, though, had to share the points with Grenada in Female Volleyball after their encounter was abandoned, while St. Lucia recorded a 3-1 triumph over Dominica.

The Games officially began with an impressive opening ceremony at the Arnos Vale Playing Field last Saturday. Addresses from Chief Education Officer Susan Dougan, Murray Bullock, Chairman of Winlott Inc., Stuart Gooding of CBN in St. Lucia, as well as representatives of the Ministries of Sports of Dominica, St. Lucia and Grenada, in Trevor Shillingford, Allison Mathurin and Bruce Swan, respectively.

Hon. Girlyn Miguel, this country’s Minister of Education, delivered the feature address.

Thereafter, it was the Track and Field component, which was won by Grenada. Represented by a potent field, Grenada sped away with the title scoring 211 points. Dominica was second with 142; St. Lucia totalled 97 and St. Vincent and the Grenadines 86.

Three records were broken, all in field events. Dillon Simon of Dominica established new records in the male Discus and Shot Putt events, with his team mate Melissa Alfred setting a new mark in the female Discus.

Yesterday, Thursday, SVG was set to play St. Lucia in Male Basketball, with Dominica facing Grenada. In Female Volleyball, St. Lucia should have met Grenada and SVG was supposed to face Dominica. In male Volleyball, it should have featured Dominica against Grenada and the host should have engaged St. Lucia.

Today, Friday, the penultimate day of competition, also sees SVG meeting Grenada in Female Basketball and Dominica coming up against St. Lucia.

SVG plays St. Lucia in Female Volleyball and Dominica takes on Grenada, tomorrow, Saturday, as the 2009 edition of the games climaxes.

The points allocation for each discipline is seven for first place, five for second, three for placing third and one point for the fourth spot.

Tomorrow’s Closing Ceremony is set for the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown from 6:30 pm.