BARBADOS wrapped up pool action in netball at the Commonwealth Games with a heavy 22-97 loss to defending champions New Zealand yesterday morning in Delhi, India.
Trinidad and Tobago also were beaten 34-62 by Australia and the Caribbean neighbours will play each other for seventh place today.New Zealand played a stifling defence, limiting Barbados to a mere 28 attempts throughout the whole match. Laurel Browne got the start at goal shooter, and for four quarters, she put up seven goals from ten attempts.
Nikita Piggott scored ten from 12 in three quarters and Lydia Bishop had five from six when she entered the game at goal attack in the final quarter.
Makeba Clarke, the only player who had not seen any game time, played wing defence for the first half. She had two assists and one interception and Kizzy Marville saw out the finish.
In contrast, New Zealand’s attack flourished, with 110 attempts and Irene Van Dyk was on point again with 41 goals from 45 attempts.
Unlike Barbados, Americas champions Trinidad and Tobago limited the damage against world champions Australia in their loss. Janelle Barker and Anestacia Wilson both scored 16 goals and Joelisa Cooper added the other.
Australia used four shooters who will no doubt be more accurate and go for more attempts in the next round.
Behind a 40 from 42 shooting by Romelda Aiken, Jamaica wrapped up second place in Pool A and a spot in the semi-finals with a 100-27 victory over the hapless hosts India.
By finishing at the top of their respective groups, New Zealand and Australia won’t meet except in the final or for the bronze medal, if by some miracle, they are defeated by Jamaica and England, respectively, in the semi-finals.
South Africa and Malawi will meet for fifth place; Samoa and Cook Islands for ninth while India and Papua New Guinea bring up the rear for 11th and 12th  place. (SAT) Summarised scores:Pool BNew Zealand 97 (Grace Rasmussen 18/22, Maria Tutaia 22/25, Irene Van Dyk 41/45, Daneka Wipiiti 16/18). Barbados 22 (Lydia Bishop 5/6, Laurel Browne 7/10, Nikita Piggott 10/12). Half-time: 49-13South Africa 73 (Anna Bootha 16/23, Sindisiwe Gumede 53/64, Maryka Holtzhausen 4/6). Cook Islands 40 (Curly George 4/5, Patricia Te Huna 15/20, Ngatokoroa Tuitupou 21/28). Half-time: 36-21England 89 (Louisa Brownfield 30/33, Pamela Cookey 21/27, Rachel Dunn 26/33, Jo Harten 12/15). Papua New Guinea 31 (Tiata Baldwin 12/20, Lua Rikis 15/17, Maleta Roberts 4/6). Half-time: 44-12 Pool AJamaica 100 (Romelda Aiken 40/42, Simone Forbes 13/14, Jhaniele Fowler 38/41, Anna-Kay Griffiths 9/12). India 27 (Megha Chaudhary 0/1, Harminder Kaur 8/12, Prachi Tehlan 19/23). Half-time: 53-11Malawi 67 (Mwayi Kumwenda 52/55, Sindi Simtowe 4/5, Mary Waya 11/13). Samoa 41 (Shirin Chang 4/6, Barbara Faasavalu 8/13, Monica Fuimaono 17/19, Sepuita Langi 12/14). Half-time: 35-22Australia 62 (Catherine Cox 15/22, Sharelle McMahon 18/24, Natalie Medhurst 12/12, Susan Pratley 17/21). Trinidad and Tobago 34 (Janelle Barker 16/17, Joelisa Cooper 2/4, Anestacia Wilson 16/22). Half-time: 31-15
