Barbados’ top female player Shari Watson starred on Day 2 of the CAREBACO 2011 team tournament at Garfield Sobers Sports Complex on Monday night.
Displaying the aura of invincibility which she has carried for over five years, Watson repeated her first night triumph over Suriname’s Priscille Tjitrodipo, destroying her opponent 21-14, 21-7.
Watson then linked with former queen Dionne Forde to stop Tjitrodipo and Crystal Leefman in the women’s doubles, 21-19, 21-13.
Unfortunately, Barbados had to settle for silver in the two-nation-battle as their male counterparts proved to be the weaker link.
Dave Forde replaced André Padmore in the men’s singles, but faltered against Virgil Soeroredjo, 9-21, 9-21.
Dakeil Thorpe and Kevin Wood tried once more but lost against the combination of Soeroredjo and Mitchell Wongsodikromo, 8-21, 12-21.
In the mixed doubles, Haynes and Wood earned a set, but Leefman and Wongsodikromo, as they had done on the opening night, clinched the match 21-14, 13-21, 21-17.
Once again, Barbados seemed capable of taking the game, but tactical errors as to who should play to net and who should cover deep cost them the critical match.
The juniors could not replicate their first night efforts against Trinidad and Tobago, as they were crushed in every match by Puerto Rico.
Top junior Monyata Riviera was stunned by Daneysha Santana 9-21, 10-21.
She teamed up with Mikeila Carrington in the women’s doubles but after an enterprising first set, they lost to Santana and Genesis Valentin 25-27, 12-21.
Valentin and Heriberto Torres took out Carrington and Jevon Gaskin in the mixed doubles, while Shem Scantlebury was unsuccessful in his first singles outing, falling to Bryan Valentin 11-21, 12-21.
