Newly promoted Wolverines may be put on the endangered species list after just two matches in the Barbados Netball Association’s Division 1 competition.
Wolverines lost their second match in succession on Friday night with a burning from Spooners Hill Firebirds 40-29.
Last week, Wolverines were defeated by newcomers Goodride Ballers.
That trio could be battling for the farther end of the Division 1 kennel. They will now take a break and await the unleashing of the big dogs since the stronger teams will not be fixtured until the national players return from the Commonwealth Games next month.
In spite of losing some of their players to both Wolverines and Goodride, Firebirds enjoyed the luxury of keeping former Barbados sharpshooter Lydia Bishop on the bench until the third quarter. They still controlled the game with slim leads of 9-8 and 18-17 before Bishop roasted the Wolverines to move to 29-20 and then the win.
Young Lester Vaughan player Acacia Small celebrated her selection to the Barbados Under-16 team with a mean performance at centre for Firebirds. Even when she was moved to goal defence in the last quarter, Small was just as deadly in the circle denying her bigger opponents.
Before Bishop entered to shoot 12 of 19, Firebirds were led by Karryann Brathwaite (15/20) and veteran Deborah Kellman (13/19). Former Firebird Kathleen Brathwaite and the tough Stacey Atherley early showed Kellman the wisdom of shooting away from the pole.
Carla Boyce once again led all scorers, hitting 23 of 34 shots for Wolverines while captain Tricia Briggs was frustrated into only taking five shots, scoring four. Briggs later moved to midcourt but their fortune in the circle did not improve with Tamisha Forde scoring two of four.
Both teams suffered with poor ball handling and multiple turnovers in midcourt. In addition, only Kellman and then Bishop seemed bold enough to take the shot from any position in the circle. With bigger and quicker opponents lining up next month, Firebirds, Wolverines and Goodride could be in for a bumpy trip in Division 1 netball. (KB)
