Netballers off and winning

One down, four to go!Barbados overcame a slow start and lots of pressure from St Vincent and The Grenadines to post a 57-33 victory in the opening match of the Americas Federation of Netball Association Championships in St Lucia.Barbados trailed 10-11 at the end of the first period, but edged ahead 24-21 by half-time.It was at that time, head coach Alywn Babb told the SATURDAY SUN, that they brought in Samantha Browne at centre, then shifted starting centre Sabreena Smith to wing attack.“That was when we opened up the game. I asked the girls to soak up the pressure of the first two quarters and then make their move in the third quarter.“We started pretty slowly and there were some blunders in the attack, but the defence of Latonya Blackman and Lisa Puckerin played extremely well,” Babb said.Barbados went on to lead the third quarter 41-27, their biggest lead of 14 goals.“We were using the time to find out what the opposition were doing and we took too long. Once we got that sorted out, the game started to flow.“When you meet teams at this level that have been practising, you don’t expect to blow them out in the first quarter unless they are very poor.” Barbados had an overall 81 per cent shooting. Lydia Bishop scored 31 from 39, and Nikita Piggott had 26 from 31. In the last quarter where 16 goals were scored, neither missed a shot.Only two shooters took to the court for St Vincent, but they were rotated to try and find an edge against Blackman and Puckerin who gave no quarter. Janelle Frank scored 14 from 19 in three quarters at goal shooter, while Gaylene Gordon scored 19 from 24, more effective at goal attack.At the 2008 tournament in St Vincent, Barbados defeated the hosts 52-36. Today’s match is against the United States.Trinidad beat Canada 48-36. Starting Line-up: Lydia Bishop (GS), Nikita Piggott (GA), Sabrina Browne (WA), Sabreena Smith (C), Kizzy Marville (WD), Latonya Blackman (GD), Lisa Puckerin (GK). Subs: Samantha Browne (C)Scores: Barbados 57 (Lydia Bishop 31/39, Nikita Piggott 26/31). St Vincent & The Grenadines 33 (Janelle Frank  14/19, Gaylene Gordon 19/24). Quarter scores: 10-11, 24-21, 41-27.