St. Vincent and the Grenadines senior netballers did not make the cut for one of two qualifying spots{{more}} in next year’s World Netball Championships(WNC) in Singapore, after finishing fifth in the six team race of the Americas Federation of Netball Associations (AFNA) Qualifiers, which concluded in St. Lucia last Tuesday.

It was the second time in succession in an AFNA Qualification exercise, that the lone victory for the Vincentians was against Canada.

In 2008, when the Qualifiers were held here for spots to the Commonwealth Games, St. Vincent and the Grenadines lost to Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Lucia.

This time around, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Lucia repeated their feat, with the USA joining the party.

Last Tuesday, the USA outpointed St. Vincent and the Grenadines 63-49 to finish third, while Trinidad and Tobago kept their one hundred percent record in tact, with a 57-45 triumph over St. Lucia. Barbados retained the runner up spot with a 60-31 triumph over Canada, who again failed to win a match.

The only thing that gave the Vincentians something to smile about was their 53-48 win against Canada last Monday. Goal-Shooter and Captain Gailene Gordon scored 42 of 48 attempts, Goal-Attack Rose Clair Hall 10 of 11 and Jasmine Frank scored 1 of 4, as they saved face.

This was a redemption from the previous day, Sunday, when they Vincentians went under to the host St. Lucia 40-46.

For St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Frank scored 13 of her 19 attempts, Gailene Gordon 21 of 29 attempts, and Mary-Ann Frederick scored 6 of 8.

In the first game last Friday, St. Vincent and the Grenadines was stopped by Barbados, 57 – 33. Frank netted 18 goals of 25, and Gordon scored 14 of 19.

It was an improved score line against the Trinidadians on Saturday, losing by a ten goal margin, 43 – 53.

Frederick poured in 22 of her 25 attempts; Frank scored 13 of 18 and Gordon 8 of 11.

In the other opening round of matches, Trinidad and Tobago got past Canada 48 – 36 and USA beat St. Lucia 45-40.

St. Lucia rebounded on day two to beat Canada 47-45 and Barbados got past the USA 51-40.

Also on Sunday, Trinidad and Tobago beat Barbados 59-49 and the USA saw off Canada 42-36.

On the penultimate day, Monday, St. Lucia beat Barbados 53-50 and Trinidad and Tobago outplayed the USA 49-34.

The USA docked in third; St. Lucia was fourth, with Canada at the bottom.

Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados join world ranked number four Jamaica as the AFNA representatives to 12th edition of the WMC next July 3- 10. (RT)