Under-16 netballers lose again

The Barbadians, aiming for their first ever hold on this regional youth title, led the ex-champions through all the quarters and ran out clear winners at Netball City, Warner Park.

Perennial champions Jamaica, with a fixture in hand, continued to stalk Barbados in the standings, trampling Grenada 51-11 for three wins in a row, and hosts St Kitts defeated Trinidad and Tobago 28-26 in the night’s third match.

Led by goal attack Sharise Banfield, with 18 goals from 22 attempts, Barbados repelled a steady challenge from SVG and carved out their six-goal win after leading the quarters 8-6, 14-12, and 24-17.

Also scoring for the Barbadians, who had their best period in the third quarter when they outscored SVG 10-5, were Abeje Carrington netting 12 of 19, and Sherika Boxhill (2/4).

SVG, who were champions in 1999, got their goals from Shelisa Davis (17/21) and Asunta Kydd (9/14) as they slid to their third loss in four games.

Jamaica, winners of all five CNA Under-16 tournaments they have appeared in, were untroubled as they coasted past the Grenadians by 40 goals, highlighted by a sizzling third quarter run when they shut out the Spice Isle girls 17-0.

Tournament winners in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004, Jamaica led the quarters 9-1, 20-6, and 37-6 with Christina Solomon sinking a near-perfect 26 from 27, backed up by Danielle Ellis (14/16), Kerisa Kessna with a perfect nine, and Vanessa Walker (2/2).

In the night’s third match, hosts St Kitts handed Trinidad and Tobago their third loss in as many matches.

Ronelle Morton (23/24) and Sherima Stanley (5/6) got the goals for the home team’s third win from four matches, while Jolisa Cooper (13/26), K’lene Lewis (8/10) and Cherrell McIntosh (5/9) scored for TT. When the tournament continued yesterday evening, Jamaica take a 3-0 record into a match against TT (0-3), St Kitts (3-1) face Dominica (1-2), and SVG (1-3) play Grenada (0-3).