PINE?HILL?St Barnabas dominated the Barbados Netball Association’s night of the knockouts by retaining their senior crown as well as claiming two of the other three titles when the finals were played on Wednesday night at the Netball Stadium.
In a game that never sparked, St Barnabas, led by national goal shooter Laurel Browne’s game-high 31 goals from 39 attempts, predictably defeated last year’s losing finalists Spooners Hill 41-25. Under-16 Barbados captain Sheniqua Thomas warmed up for her trip to Antigua today by scoring eight from 11 for St Barnabas.
At the other end, the tough Shonette Bruce and the slim Jeneice Clarke played a stifling defence to deny Spooners Hill any faint hopes of offering a serious challenge.
Even so, the Spooners Hill girls did themselves little favours by repeatedly passing the ball with uncanny accuracy into the hands of their opponents. However, after establishing leads of 13-6, 21-12 and 34-17, St Barnabas then played a flat game and failed to create the blowout win.
Goal shooter Natalie Bailey led the Spooners Hill challenge by sinking 22 goals. The centre court play of Kizzy Marville and Joyann Cooke flickered at times but the decent crowd would have been disappointed with the inconsistent offerings on court all night.
Ironically, the highlight of the match occurred at 21-12 in the third quarter when Bailey landed with frightful force on top of Clarke. Clarke had to be taken off for treatment but she soon returned in the same quarter.
On a wonderful night for the club, St Barnabas started by capturing the Junior Knockout crown with a 17-14 victory over Bico Delight. They then took the Intermediate II title by pipping UWI Blackbirds 20-18.
Shottas United won the Intermediate I crown by beating C.O. Williams Rangers 33-27.
