BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Oct 23, CMC – Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago installed themselves as firm favourites to grab the two qualifying spots on offer at next year’s Netball World Cup after extending their unbeaten streaks to three games at the Americas Netball World Cup Qualifiers on Wednesday.
Playing at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, the Barbados Gems brushed Grenada aside 73-42, while T&T’s Calypso Girls were made to fight tooth and nail before getting past the USA 43-38.
After a close opening quarter in which they led 15-10, Barbados blew the game open in the ensuing period to establish a massive 39-21 lead at the half.
That lead ballooned to 24 (56-32) at the end of the third quarter, before the Gems went on to register a comfortable victory.
For Barbados, goal shoot Faye Agard scored 46 of her 51 attempts, Shonica Wharton made 10 of 12, Kadeen Corbin eight of nine, Damia Walrond four of six and Brianna Holder three of five attempts.
Lottysha Cato sank 18 of 20 shots for Grenada, while Akada McSween made five of eight and Tiffany Frederick one of three.
The match between T&T and USA was much keenly contested.
The two sides ended the opening quarter tied at 8-8, but T&T edged ahead 22-18 at halftime. They then extended that advantage to 34-28 heading into the final quarter, before eventually recording a tense five-goal win.
Samantha Wallace-Joseph converted 35 of her 40 attempts and Kalifa McCollin made eight from nine.
For the USA, Oshina Graham scored 34 of her 38 shots, Anya Graham made three of seven and Gabrielle Woods one of six.
In other results, Saint Lucia demolished the British Virgin Islands 75-11 and St Vincent and the Grenadines defeated Canada 51-41.
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