‘Calypso Girls’ rally for n-ball draw

TRINIDAD and Tobago “Calypso Girls” netballers trailing for most of the 60 minutes, rallied determinedly to earn a 45-45 draw with St Vincent and third place at the 21st Caribbean Netball Champion-ships which ended at the Jean Pierre Sports Complex. The Vincentians led 13-7 at the end of the opening quarter, and were still ahead 21-16 at the half-time interval. But the “Calypso Girls” redoubled their effort in the third period of Saturday night’s game, and with a mammoth crowd cheering them on, they trimmed the Vincentians lead to just two goals — 30-28 at the end.

The teams engaged in a desperate struggle for supremacy in the final stanza, with the “Calypso Girls” netballers gradually whittling down the lead, first to 30-29 before St Vincent regained a three-goal lead 32-29. From there on it was a dogfight until the final minute when the “Calypso Girls” netballers missed several chances to knot up the scores and perhaps go on to an outright victory before skipper Janelle Barker netted the tying goal in the final 30 seconds of the game to the screaming delight of the frenzied partisan crowd. Both teams finished with three wins each, but the “Calypso Girls” edged the ex-champions on goal difference.

Earlier, the Jamaica “Sunshine Girls” completed their six-match schedule unbeaten, handing Barbados their only defeat 56-33, after leading 12-7; 26-18; 42-26 at the intervals, with ace goal-shoot Elaine Davis scoring 31 of 35 attempts and Simone Forbes 25 of 28.  Laurel Browne had 24 goals from 29 attempts and Olivia Walcott nine of 14 for the “Tridents.” Later, “Calypso Girls” netballers pair goal-defence Crystal George and goal-attack Simone Morgan were named to a Caribbean All Stars 12. Other members of the All Stars contingent are: Nadine Bryan, Simone Forbes, Tasha Morgan, Oberon Pitterson (Jamaica); Rhe Ann Niles, Dionne Quarless, Olivia Walcott (Barbados); Sarah Alexander (St Lucia); Galeine Gordon, Sancho Lyttle (St Vincent).

Honour roll:
Best team on parade — Trinidad and Tobago; Most Disciplined Team — Nevis; Most Improved Team — St Kitts; Most Accurate Shooting Team — Jamaica; Best Defending Team —Jamaica; Team with Best Goal Average — Jamaica; Best Uniformed Team — Jamaica; Fair Play Award — St Vincent; Coach of the Tournament — Janet Guy (Jamaica).