Bajans tame US

BARBADOS warmed up ahead of tonight’s encounter against Trinidad and Tobago with a 51-40 victory against a surprisingly tough United States team at the Americans Federation of Netball Association Championships in St Lucia last night.Coach Alwyn Babb didn’t start with his strongest seven, so Laurel Browne, Nadia Blackman, and Chekirah Shepherd all got the start. They trailed for most of the match and had to fight tooth and nail for the victory, despite the final score.“The team that is playing for the United States has about six former Jamaica nationals who are still active . . . . “In the first two quarters, that experience came through and we had to make some adjustments. The defence had problems stopping the ball from advancing,” Babb said in a telephone interview last night from the Beausejour Indoor Complex.That United States team shocked the hosts late Friday night, winning 42-38.When the midcourt defence began to assert itself, Barbados was able to cut the deficit from seven goals to two, and once again, the fitness came to bear.According to Babb, the interceptions which they were unable to get earlier in the match began to come in the final quarter as their superior fitness kicked in. The team also worked better as he gradually introduced Samantha Browne, Kizzy Marville, and Lydia Bishop off the bench.Bishop, who scored 12 from 12, entered the game in the final quarter and seemed to spark the Barbados offence which took over. They went from trailing by four to winning by 11 goals. Laurel Browne scored 16 from 23 and Nikita Piggott 23 from 29.Georgina Hibbert led the United States, missing only four of her 40 attempts.In the opening game, Trinidad and Tobago defeated St Vincent and the Grenadines 53-43, and St Lucia were leading Canada 17-15 up to press time.Starting line-up:Laurel Browne (GS), Nikita Piggott (GA), Nadia Blackman, (WA), Sabreena Smith (C), Chekirah Shepherd (WD), Latonya Blackman (GD), Lisa Puckerin (GK). Subs: Sabrina Browne (WA), Samantha Browne (C) Kizzy Marville (WD) Lydia Bishop (GS).Summarised scoresBarbados 51 (Laurel Browne 16/23, Nikita Piggott 23/29, Lydia Bishop 12/12). United States 40 (Georgina Hibbert 36/40, Roneish Davis 3/5, Tasha Browne 1/3). Quarter scores: 9-13, 21-22, 33-37.