BARBADOS took care of business with a 61-55 victory over Papua New Guinea for their second straight victory in netball yesterday morning at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.
It also sets up the all-important clash against South Africa tomorrow if they are to remain on course to play for fifth or sixth position at the Games.
Lydia Bishop continued her high scoring rate with 39 goals from 45 attempts and Nikita Piggott also stepped up her production with 22 from 28.
Papua New Guinea used three shooters, led by 26 from 30 shooting by Lua Rikis. Tiata Baldwin scored 19 from 23 and Maleta Roberts ten from 13. Quarter scores were not available.
Coach Alwyn Babb used his preferred starting seven which also included Sabreena Smith, Samantha Browne, Kizzy Marville, Latonia Blackman and Lisa Puckerin for three quarters.
In the fourth, Laurel Browne replaced Puckerin and Damisha Croney also got some time as Samantha Browne went to the bench. Croney, Piggott and Blackman had one interception each as Barbados lowered their match errors to 20, but still have to pay attention to the number of penalties they give up from contact.
Attempts to reach Babb were unsuccessful.
Trinidad and Tobago also got their second win with a 77-26 victory over Pool “A” whipping girls India. Anestacia Wilson was rested and Janelle Barker led Trinidad with 46 goals from 47 attempts. Joelisa Cooper scored 16 from 18 and Under-16 player Samantha Wallace added 15 from 18.
The news was not as good for Jamaica as the world No. 4 team was beaten 60-46 by No. 1 side Australia. Despite a quick start which gave them a 15-13 first-quarter lead, Australia outscored Jamaica 19-11 in the second to take control and get the victory.
Defending champions New Zealand got a bit of a scare, coming from behind to see off a determined England side 47-41 and avoid a semi-final clash with Australia.
New Zealand led 11-0, but England took a two-goal 24-22 advantage into the half. The momentum seemed to be with England who took the 35-34 lead at the end of the third after the scores were locked 33-33.
New Zealand drew on all of their experience, with shooter Irene Van Dyk converting 31 from 34.
Today is a rest day for Barbados. (SAT)
Summarised scores:
Pool B
Barbados 61 (Lydia Bishop 39/45, Nikita Piggott 22/28).
Papua New Guinea 55 (Tiata Baldwin 19/23, Lua Rikis 26/30, Maleta Roberts 10/13). Quarter scores: Not available.
New Zealand 47 (Irene Van Dyk 31/34, Maria Tutaia 16/23).
England 41 (Pamela Cookey 22/26, Jo Harten 19/27). Quarter
scores: 11-10, 22-24, 34-35.
Pool A
Trinidad & Tobago 77 (Janelle Barker 46/47, Joelisa Cooper 16/18, Samantha Wallace 15/18). India 26 (Neha Bajaj 10/13, Harminder Kaur 6/8, Kiranjeet Kaur 4/8, Prachi Tehlan 6/8).
Australia 60 (Natalie Medhurst 34/35, Sharelle McMahon 26/30). Jamaica 46 (Romelda Aiken 25/26, Simone Forbes 12/17, Jhaniele Fowler 6/6, Anna-Kay Griffiths 3/4).
Quarter scores: 13-15, 32-26.
