Phoenix Security Spooners Hill taught newly promoted UWI Blackbirds another tough lesson when the Barbados Netball Association’s Division One Competition continued last Saturday night at the Netball Stadium.
UWI Blackbirds flunked their second examination in the top flight and were roasted 51-33 by Spooners Hill.
Goal shooter Lydia Bishop, a former national star, was almost unstoppable in sinking 38 goals from 46 attempts. The red-haired Keisha Griffith scored six from 12 and Renee Rudder added eight from 16, alternating as goal attack, to erase Spooners Hill’s first-game loss to defending champions CO Williams Rangers.
For UWI Blackbirds, it was their second successive defeat after playing all of 2012 without losing a match in Division Two.
In spite of another doddering start by goal shooter Monique James, the Blackbirds remained in contention with the speedy Damisha Croney at wing attack and the robust Alicia Harding at goal defence helping to keep Spooners Hill in sight at the end of the 13-9 first quarter.
Although James was able to find her rhythm to eventually score 24 of 37 for the Blackbirds along with Mechelle Liburd (4/8) and Croney (5/7) after moving to goal attack, UWI could not contend with Spooners Hill’s obviously better midcourt craft.
Joyanne Cooke, Kizzy Marville and the physical Chekirah Shepherd kept better positions on the court while goalkeeper Kathleen Brathwaite seemed to be a leaping octopus in denying numerous passes into UWI’s circle.
After a frenetic second quarter during which Spooners Hill scored eight more goals than UWI (29-17) to put the contest out of the Blackbirds’ reach, Spooners Hill relaxed their play which saw UWI reduce a 36-18 deficit to try to bring some respectability to the losing margin.
While that win would have put Spooners Hill back on course to make the final four, the Blackbirds’ life will not get any easier as they will have even tougher back-to-back assignments next week.
UWI have to face knockout queens Pine Hill St Barnabas on Friday and Rangers the next day.
Another team which is struggling with an 0-2 record, Phoenix Gems, could drop even further tonight when they face Guardian General Pride of Villa.
Gems have already lost to the top two, St Barnabas and Rangers, with that duo currently holding 2-0 records. Villa are 1-1 after defeating UWI and then losing to St Barnabas.
Other results
Junior B: Shottas United 21, Lester Vaughan School 11
Sion Hill 16, Newbury Ballers 13
Junior A: Pine Hill St Barnabas 20, Bathsheba United 9
Princess Margaret 28, Lester Vaughan School 15
Hot Spurs 37, Barbados Lumber Co. UAC 1
Division 5: Spooners Hill 31, Barbados Youth Service 13
Pine Hill St Barnabas 27, Guardian General Pride of Villa 10
Division 6: Shottas United 25, Pine Hill St Barnabas 18
Division 3: ESSO Police Sports Club 20, Spooners Hill 16
Barbados Lumber Co. UAC 34, Sion Hill 21
Division 2: Brydens Anchor 41, Structural Systems Silver Raiders 30
