Goodride Ballers made a dream debut in the Barbados Netball Association’s (BNA) Division 1 competition by defeating the newly promoted Wolverines 42-32 at the Netball Stadium on Friday night.
While the Wolverines had clawed their way to the 2017 Division 2 title, Goodride never competed in the BNA’s competition but assembled for impressive forays in the Barbados Workers’ Union Tournament in recent seasons.
Boasting a host of former BDF, Spooner’s Hill and Villa players, Goodride entered the BNA at the highest level this season. The newcomers exploited a situation in which the more experienced Division 1 squads will not be fixtured until their national players return from the Commonwealth Games to seize their first win.
With former Barbados midcourt player Kizzy Marville – not showing any lack of form or fitness despite a two-year absence – running their centre court, Goodride led all quarters (10-7, 22-17 and 30-25).
Goodride survived some defensive lapses and the shooting heat of the tall, slim Carla Boyce, who battled strong for Wolverines for a game-high 28 goals from 35 attempts.
Goal shooter Keryn Clarke was the high scorer for Goodride with 25 goals but she missed 15 of her shots and was not as accurate as the short, stout Kelly Knight. Knight, who formerly represented Spooner’s Hill, where she played in the shadow of Lydia Bishop, sank 17 of her 19 attempts.
Captain Tamara Trotman and Danecia King were effective in the defence circle, ensuring that the normally dependable captain Tricia Briggs could not give Wolverines the shooting edge. Briggs was switched from goal shooter to goal attacker with Boyce in the last quarter but still finished with a disappointing four of 12.
After falling behind in the first quarter, Wolverines made four changes, moving Shakira Warner from wing defence to goal keeper; Kathleen Brathwaite from goal defence to wing defence; Stacy Atherley from goal keeper to goal defence, and sub Sheldine Clarke took over at wing attack. (KB)
