BANKS SPURS defeated Pine Hill St Barnabas 44-40 in an entertaining senior match at the Netball Stadium on Wednesday night.

This victory sent statisticians to the record books to recall the last time Spurs defeated St Barnabas. Information showed that this occurred in the late 80s when the Banfield family was playing for Banks Spurs.

In a reversal of occurrences, Pine Hill St Barnabas line-up started as a family affair, with Jacqui, Samantha, Sabrina, and Mellsia Browne on court.

At the end of the first quarter the scores were tied at 11, while St Barnabas had a slim 23-21 goal lead at half-time.

Jacqui Browne at goal-defence and Colleen Griffith at goal-attack were having a good game in their respective roles, while young Chekirah Shepherd, after playing centre at the Commonwealth Games in Australia last month, was back at her goal-defence position for Banks Spurs.

The scores were tied again at 33 at the end of the third quarter. Pine Hill St Barnabas continued to unnecessarily turn the ball over, and Banks Spurs took advantage late in the final quarter, freezing the ball in the centre circle with a slim four-goal lead, maintaining possession and entertaining most of the appreciative fans.

The combination of Cheryl Piggott (16/21) and Colleen Griffith (28 /30) was steady for Banks Spurs, while Denise Alleyne (23/27) and Janilla Thornhill (17 /24) were under constant pressure from Spurs' defence.

"I told them after the first quarter they could win, but they would have to get hungry," said Spurs coach Sandrene Jordan. "The defence was strong with Cherkirah Shepherd and Ranee Cyrus, and goal attack Colleen Griffith was pretty accurate.

"We have Rangers on Monday night, but we are taking it one day at a time. I hope the girls go forward with the same determination. It was really a good feeling to defeat St Barnabas after all these years."

(BA)