Defending champs Rangers win first game

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS CO Williams Rangers have drawn first blood in the race for the Barbados Netball Association’s Division 1 crown.In the first game of the two-best-of-three series on Monday night at the Netball Stadium, Rangers came from behind twice to beat arch-rivals Pine Hill St Barnabas 46-44.Rangers trailed 8-11, then came back to tie the match 21-21 at half-time.St Barnabas scored twice as many goals to take a seven-goal lead (28-35) at the end of the third quarter, but the champions would not go away.Rangers came roaring back in the fourth, and despite fewer overall attempts, won that quarter and the match. The second match is today at 7 p.m. (SAT)Summarised scores:CO Williams Rangers 46 (Nikita Piggott 33/39, Tyna King 3/7, Olivia Walcott 10/13). Pine Hill St Barnabas 44 (Shanise Banfield 5/9, Shekira Boxill 18/21, Denise Alleyne 21/30). Quarter scores: 8-11, 21-12, 28-35.