SVG places fifth in CNA Under-16 Netball

After finishing in third place on their last outing in 2008, St. Vincent and the Grenadines slipped to fifth when the 2010 Caribbean Netball Association (CNA) Jean Pierre Under-16 Netball Competition concluded last Saturday in Barbados.{{more}}

The Vincentian lasses were only able to come away with a solitary win, and that was in their opening encounter, when they beat Grenada. And, in their final match last Saturday, they drew with St. Lucia 31-31.These results sandwiched four consecutive losses.

The host Barbados beat them 43-18, with Trinidad and Tobago administering a 44-23 drubbing.

Dominica also handed the Vincentians a 23-22 loss, and power house Jamaica crushed the Vincentians 71-11, in one of the 2010 competition’s widest margins of victory.

Coach of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines outfit, Moeth Gaymes told SEARCHLIGHT that in the games against Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, the team failed to carry out simple instructions and strategies.

“Overall the team was complimented by many coaches and spectators for their ability to play, even though they did not perform to expectations,” Gaymes said.

“I am hoping, though, that as soon as the national competition here is finished, that I’ll be able to maintain the training sessions for next year’s tournament, so as to be better prepare physically as well as mentally,” Gaymes added. .

Manager of the team Cheryl Alexander, who was on her second consecutive outing at that level, stated categorically: “something is missing from our Netball”.

Alexander, while admitting that there was a distinct height disadvantage that weighed heavily against them, said she was unable to pinpoint the other reasons for the under par returns.

Amidst the poor performance, Goal Keep Jose Ann Antoine was this country’s Most Valuable Player, with Ariel Stephens, a Goal Shooter, placing fourth among the top Shooters, with an average of 81.97 per cent. She was named among a West Indies select team.

Jamaica emerged winners, with Barbados, second, Trinidad and Tobago, third, and St. Lucia fourth. Grenada placed sixth and Dominica seventh.

In the group of the minnows, Bermuda was first, with Guyana second, St.Kitts third and the Cayman Islands fourth. (RT)