SVG U-23 netballers deposit 14th title in sub-regional account

St Vincent and the Grenadines netballers re-registered their title deed on the ECCB /OECS Under-23 netball tournament, when they claimed their 14th title Wednesday, at the YWCA Complex in Antigua.{{more}}

Coming up against St Kitts in the final match, the Vincentians kept their unbeaten record over six matches intact, outscoring their opponents 39-29.

It was the Vincentians’ fourth title gained on Antiguan soil, adding to triumphs in 1994, 2001 and 2007.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT from Antigua on Wednesday night, coach of the victorious St Vincent and the Grenadines team Godfrey Harry, said retaining the title was always on the cards.

“We knew we had won the tournament since last night …We left St Vincent to come here with one mission, and that was to win the tournament and that is what we did,” a gleeful Harry said.

Harry coached the team last year, ending a five-year drought of titles.

On their path to retaining the title, which they won in Grenada in 2012, St Vincent and the Grenadines dismissed previous rivals, St Lucia 31-26, Tuesday night, which almost ensured another lien.

In that match, Goal Shoot Mary Ann Frederick poured in 12 for her 13 attempts; Roshel Franklyn had 10 from 13; Shellisa Davis 8 from her 19 tries and Shanice Daniel registered 1 of her 3 tries.

Also falling by the wayside to the skills of the Vincentians, was another former champion Grenada, who were beaten 50-40. In that match, Frederick was again in sublime form, scoring 48 from 52; Shannique de Shong sowed 2 of her 3.

Facing one of the pretenders to the title, St Vincent and the Grenadines had a 42-24 triumph over Dominica.

Frederick deposited 27 from 35; Franklyn had 9 from 12 and Davis 6 from 10.

St Vincent and the Grenadines crossed the 100 goal mark, when they scored a 101-3 dissipation of minnows, Montserrat.

Frederick was in her element as she dumped 91 from her 98 efforts, and Davis recorded 10 of her 17.

The Vincentians defeated Antigua and Barbuda, 55-25.

The triumphant St Vincent and the Grenadines team, which also included Natasha Sandy-Stapleton as manager, is expected back home this morning.(RT)