Guardian Group Pride of Villa came so close to taking down University of the West Indies Blackbirds A last night, but in the end the Cave Hill Campus girls emerged victorious 50-49 thanks to 42 goals from national goal-shooter Shonica Wharton.
The two sides met in the ongoing Barbados Netball Association’s Division One League at the Netball Stadium before a boisterous crowd. At the end of the encounter Blackbirds breathed a massive sigh of relief. The scores at the quarter marks were 13-12, 28-23 and 38-36, with Villa ably led by former national captain Latonia Blackman. She had another good night for Villa in her role as goal-shooter with a perfect score of 21 goals from 21 attempts. Fellow shooter Faye Sealy also netted 21 from 25 attempts while Latonia’s sister Nadia Blackman accounted for seven from her ten.
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Shonica Wharton scored 42 goals for Blackbirds.[/caption]
It was a rather intriguing game and the score line spoke for itself with Wharton handling herself well in the ring and showing her shooting capabilities when she fell just four goals shorts of a perfect night. She was supported by goal-attack Rieah Holder with eight goals from 11 attempts.
There were also matches played in division two, three, five and six yesterday at the Stadium. During the lone division two game, goal-shooters Michelle Rogers had 22 goals from 32 attempts and Salisha Auguste two of three while goal-attack Alicia Lashley had 19 from 27 for Wolverines as they were victorious 43-34 over Silver Raiders with the scores at the breaks reading 15-5, 25-18, 35-26. Goal-shooter Chantelle Brathwaite had 28 from 38 for Raiders and goal-attack Amory Stoute had four and Natasha Reid two respectively.
Division three had a close game between Phoenix Gems and C.O. Williams with Gems winning 26-23 after the scores at the intervals read 8-7, 12-13, 19-18. Gems’ goal-shooter Nicole Graham had 17 of 22 and veteran goal-attack Marion Johnson- Hurley scored nine goals from 14 attempts. Top scoring for Rangers were goal-shooters Nyasha Williams with ten and Heather Belle eight along with goal-shooter Natasha Clarke with five.
In division five there were several matches played. Barbados Defence Force Solja Girlz defeated Pine Hill St Barnabas 25-18 (4-2, 9-4, 19-9). Rapid Response edged Galaxy Stars 26-24 (6-7, 11-11, 19-19) in an exciting clash.
Notre Dame Ballerz also came out on top with a 27-20 (10-4, 15-6, 20-14) win over Welches Rovers. St Joseph Angels had to work for their 31-29 (5-8, 15-15, 23-21) victory playing Unity Stars.
Meanwhile Bryden Stokes defeated St James Stillettos 25-20 (7-6, 14-12, 18-16). Pride of Villa’s division six team outplayed Sion Hill 25-19 (3-6, 10-11, 19-14)
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