SVG let go hold of Under-23 OECS netball
Perennial winners of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank/ Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Under-23 Netball Tournament, St Vincent and the Grenadines, surrendered their hold on the title last Tuesday night in St Lucia.{{more}}
Facing the host in the decisive match, which was played at the Beausejour indoor facility at Gros Islet, the Vincentians needed to win to keep hold of the title and ink their fifteenth hold of the championsâ trophy. But that was not to be, as St Vincent and the Grenadines went under to the St Lucians by a six-goal margin.
The Vincentians trailed the St Lucians throughout 11-12 after the first quarter, 20-26 at the half way mark, 31-40 at the third quarter and finally succumbing with a score of 46-52.
For St Vincent and the Grenadines, goal shoot Mary Ann Frederick registered 40 of her 47 attempts and goal attack, Shanice Daniel converted 6 of her 8.
Meanwhile, Fianna Hippolite recorded 43 of her 51 attempts and Joann Anderson – 9 of 14.
St Vincent and the Grenadines ended the tournament with four wins, one draw and one defeat.
The Vincentians beat Antigua and Barbuda 55-19 and went into overdrive, swamping Montserrat 92-16 and downing Dominica, 62-35. The other trumping was a 64-43 win versus St Kitts and Nevis. St Vincent and the Grenadines had played to a 47-47 tie against Grenada.
The newly crowned champions St Lucia, on the other hand, were the lone unbeaten outfit in the tournament from their six matches. Grenada docked in third.
Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT last Tuesday night from St Lucia, coach of the St Vincent and the Grenadines team Godfrey Harry was evidently disappointed that his charges did not go all the way.
âAs I had told you before, I had some concerns about the team, but it was a case of the players failing to carry out the instructions given and at times being over ambitious with their plays,â Harry assessed.
He said in that final match, the Vincentians were second best to the host.
âI must admit, though, St Lucia has a good team â¦. They have more experienced players than we⦠On the night they played to win and were more physical than our players,â the Vincentian Under-23 netball team head coach said.
The undefeated St Lucians also recorded a 68-9 thumping of Montserrat and saw off Grenada 46-33 and Dominica, 39-31. The hostâs unblemished run included a 57-19 win over Antigua and Barbuda and a 36-32 defeat on St Kitts and Nevis.
The tournament triumph meant that St Lucia notched up its first title win since 2005. Their other title holds were achieved in 1995, 1997 and 2004.
Among the awards, St Vincent and the Grenadines was named the best attacking team, with Mary Ann Frederick, voted St Vincent and the Grenadinesâ Most Valuable Player.(RT)
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