Barbados booked a spot in today’s final of the Senior International Festival of Netball at the Antrim Forum in Northern Ireland, beating the hosts 62-31 yesterday morning.
In the top-of-the-table clash between the two unbeaten teams, Northern Ireland didn’t live up to their billing after pounding both Botswana and St Lucia in the other matches.
The expected fireworks promised by the announcer never materialized as the Barbadians seemed to take exception to the comment that they could be upended by the No. 11 side, lying just one space below them in the rankings.
The starting seven of Shonica Wharton, Nikita Piggott, Sabreena Smith, Latonia Blackman, Kizzy Marville, Rhe-ann Niles and Shonette Bruce turned the screws from the first pass.
Barbados scored seven straight before Northern Ireland got on the board, taking the 13-8 first quarter lead. Wharton did most of the shooting (40 from 49) as Piggott seemed content to be the supplier, scoring nine.
On the other end, Niles and Bruce were constantly intercepting passes meant for the shooters and Northern Ireland could not muster any kind of attack.
But in the second quarter Barbados grew careless with the ball as the Irish settled, and gave up three consecutive goals on their centre pass. Northern Ireland trimmed the score to 19-10 from
19-6, 19-6 to 19-10 and suddenly the crowd, which had been silent for the most part, was back in the game.
That was short-lived, however. After a time-out, Barbados came back and went on an 8-1 run and were suddenly back up by 16 (27-11).
They sped up the game, leaving the Irish flat-footed as they flew from one end of the court to the next. This passage of play was marked by some beautiful swinging passes and lobs from Piggott, Smith and Blackman in to Wharton.
Wharton commanded the circle, showing off her jumping and ability to hold when being challenged by the defence. She was not afraid to take the medium and low percentage shots, some of which she sank with aplomb.
The defence also played a big part, with Niles and Bruce picking several balls out the air.
Leading 31-12 at the half, Barbados continued to build on the lead and were up 49-20 at the end of the third quarter.
More changes saw the bench being cleared, with Laurel Browne, Sheniqua Thomas, Damisha Croney, Samantha Browne and Jeneice Clarke all getting playing time.
Laurel Browne carried the scoring in the final quarter with 11 from 11 after her low-scoring performance in the previous game, while Thomas scored two.
In the late match, No. 18 Botswana got their first win, upsetting 12th-ranked St Lucia 34-33.
Barbados are now 3-0, while Northern Ireland are 2-1. The two teams will play again today to determine the winner of the quadrangular tournament. (SAT)