Bajan n-ballers stay on top

Barbados led the home side at all the intervals en route to their six-goal win that keeps them in front in the title race, chased by St Kitts and defending champions Jamaica, who have a game in hand.

In Monday night’s other matches at Netball City, Warner Park, former champions St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) snapped their two-game losing streak to beat Grenada 23-18, and Jamaica moved to 2-0 with a huge win over Dominica, 37-6.

With wins over Trinidad and Tobago and Dominica already on their log, the Barbadians kept up their bid for their first regional title at this level with a tough win over spirited St Kitts. Buoyed by their home support, St Kitts ran the Barbadians close early and trailed by only one goal (5-6) at the end of the first quarter.

Barbados stepped up a gear with a 10-6 run and moved ahead 17-12 at the half.

The Kittitians, with shooter Ronelle Morton in good form, outscored Barbados 8-6 in the third quarter to give themselves a winning chance entering the last quarter only three behind (20-23).

But the Barbadians stayed strong down the stretch with an 8-5 run to clinch the victory.

Abeje Carrington scored 18 of 27 attempts to lead the Barbados scoring, supported by Shanise Banfield (12/18) and captain Shakira Springer (1/1).

Morton got a match-high 22 goals (28 attempts) and Sherima Stanley netted three of four for St Kitts, who were suffering their first defeat after wins over Grenada and SVG.

Jamaica, aiming for their sixth hold on the title, cruised in their win over Dominica.

The junior "Sunshine Girls" led the quarters 10-2, 16-4, and 27-4 en route to their lopsided 31-goal triumph.

Coach Oberon Pitterson used the opportunity to shift around players, resulting in four names getting on the Jamaican score sheet— Christina Solomon (17/19), Danielle Ellis (14/24), Kerisa Kessna (4/5) and Vanessa Walker (2/6).

Stacy Fontaine (4/8) and Nazarine Corbette (2/5) scored for Dominica, who were losing their second consecutive match after starting with an upset win over SVG on Saturday evening.

SVG, the 1999 champions, finally got their first win of the tournament when they topped Grenada by five goals.

The Vincentians, led by Asunta Kydd (14/19), were in front at the quarters 5-3, 11-7, and 15-14, and pulled ahead in the last period for a clear win in the end. Makiida Cato (9/17) and Shellisa Davis (7/10) were the chief scorers for Grenada.

The tournament continued Tuesday evening with Jamaica facing Grenada, TT meeting St Kitts, and Barbados tackling SVG.