Vita Malt Maple rises over Elite

It took tactics and experience by Vita Malt Maple Netball Club players to lift the 2010 Courts OECS Champion of Champions Tournament trophy last Sunday evening at the Pam Tyson Netball Stadium in Basseterre, St. Kitts.{{more}}

Captain of the team, Thelma Foster, listed these as the factors that gave that final push over Elite Strikers of St. Lucia in the championship game.

Foster, speaking to SEARCHLIGHT last Monday evening minutes after the triumphant outfit returned home, said that experience prevailed when it mattered most.

Recounting the occasion last Sunday, Foster said that her team was leading at the end of the first quarter 13-10.

“We did not know what went wrong in the second quarter,” Foster said, speaking of when Elite strode to a 25-21 lead.

She, however, thought that the close marking of Goal Shooter Skiddy Francis -Crick was a factor that blunted their attack.

Elite maintained their position at the end of the third quarter, as they led 37-33.

However, according to Foster, the last quarter proved to be decisive.

“We made a switch. I went from Wing Attack to Goal Attack,” the Maple Captain said.

Foster claimed the Elite players were taller, fitter and more athletic; hence they (Maple) slowed down the pace of the game in the final quarter.

Additionally, Foster said that Elite did not recognise her ability and concentrated in Francis-Crick, which left her to get more shots.

Foster scored 7of 8 attempts, as Maple romped to a 48-44 win, and a third lien on the title.

Skiddy Francis-Crick led the way with 34 of 39 attempts and Roseclair Hall 7 of 10 attempts.

For Elite, Deidra Mathurin scored 31of 38 attempts, Shem Maxwell 7 of 13, and Glatta Gabriel 6 of 10.

Maple played unbeaten, having thrashed Stoney Ground Untouchables of Nevis 62-26 in their opening encounter last week Friday morning; they also got the better of Coca Cola Shamrock of St. Kitts 59-38 and whipped Fort Knox Aces of Dominica 67-38.

Francis- Crick was named the most accurate shooter in the competition. Shamrock placed third, with Stoney Ground Untouchables fourth and Fort Knox Aces fifth.

Maple’s Vasha Adams was her team’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) as well as the MVP of the competition and also copped the Best Defender award.

Maple, who more than likely will have to settle for second place in the 2010 Digicel National Club Tournament, could still have another crack at the next sub regional competition as the defending champions.