Ten years ago a netball match involving C.O. Williams Rangers and Banks Spurs would have generated lots of thrills for the throng of spectators who would have filled the Netball Stadium.
But the defection of many of Spurs’ stars to form Gems saw the now Division 2 team being mauled by an obviously superior Rangers who cantered into the Barbados Netball Association’s senior knockout final with a one-sided, 57-25 win on Friday night.
Ironically, Rangers will play either Gems or Guardian General Pride of Villa next Friday.
Coach Sandra Bruce-Small used the game as a warm-up for the final, although it is doubtful how much practice the Rangers would have gotten.
Goalkeeper Rhe-Ann Niles spent a lot of idle time in the D, while at the other end Nikita Piggott sank 27 of her 36 attempts at goal attack while Olivia Walcott netted 26 of 31 and Shakeena Rock, four of eight.
With a number of her Garrison schoolmates leaving the BSSAC finals to come and cheer on Tyneisha Rowe, the versatile player seamlessly switched from centre to goal-attack and looked in sync with the experienced midcourt of Cheryl Squires, Natasha Burkett and Janelle Sealy.
Rieah Holder hit 24 goals from 34 attempts for the Spurs at goal attack while goal shoot Shanice Jarvis experienced the meanness of the opponents’ defence, as she only had four scoring opportunities, making good on one.
