Shooters Afeisha Noel and Kalifa McCollin-Lopez helped the University of T&T (UTT) get revenge on MIC Tigers to move to the top of the standings in the Premiership Division of the Courts All Sectors Netball League on Saturday.
UTT sealed a narrow 41-38 win over previous leader MIC in their second round match-up at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Tacarigua. In the first round, MIC edged the University team, 35-34 on January 18.
Noel, the goal-shooter, netted 23 goals from 28 attempts to lead UTT’s shooting in the competitive match which MIC led in the first quarter, 13-10. However, UTT, who got 15 off 17 from goal-attack McCollin-Lopez, fought back to take a seven-goal lead at the half, 27-20.
On the resumption, the battle raged on as MIC matched UTT goal-for-goal in the third period which meant the Tigers still trailed by seven entering the fourth and final quarter.
Goal-shooter Janeisha Cassimy did well to keep her team within reach, scoring a match-high 29 of 38, as MIC went on to outscore its opponent, 11-7 but was unable to fully overcome the deficit and settled for the three-goal defeat.
Both teams are now on eight points from four wins and a loss but the margin of victory pushed UTT ahead by one (123/122) on goal difference.
In the other match in the division, Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) earned its first win of the season, beating Jabloteh 50-36 thanks to the combined shooting effort of goal-shooter Liliah Matthews (24/37) and goal-attack Genesis Clifford (26/37).
UTC Sparks led throughout the match. The quarter scores read 14-7, 22-16 and 36-26, all in favour of UTC.
Goal-attack Jeselle Navarro led the shooting with 12 goals from 16 tries for Jabloteh, who dropped to last place in the four-team competition, behind UTC as the Sparks has a better goal difference of -101 to fourth-placed Jabloteh’s -144.
In the Championship Division, UTT, the University of the West Indies (UWI) and Bermudez scored wins. UTT topped Police, 69-18, UWI defeated MIC, 54-35 and Bermudez beat Defence Force, 51-39.
Only one match in the Alternative Division was completed as Police Netball Youth Cub (PYNC) had to forfeit its match against UTT after one of its players fell ill in the first quarter. There was no substitute for her. They began the match with five players.
In the other match of the division, Fire Youth beat Police, 38-10.
Saturday’s results
Premiership Division
MIC 38 (Janeisha Cassimy 29/38, Reeka Seerattan 8/14, Rehanna Ali 1/5) vs UTT 41 (Afeisha Noel 23/28, Kalifa McCollin-Lopez 18/23). Quarter scores: 1st 13-10 (MIC), 2nd 27-20 (UTT), 3rd 34-27 (UTT).
UTC 50 (Liliah Matthews 24/37, Genesis Clifford 26/37) vs JABLOTEH 36 (Julia Britto 3/4, Jeselle Navarro 12/16, Abeni Taylor 9/15, LaToya Thomas 12/20). Quarter scores: 1st 14-7, 2nd 22-16, 3rd 36-26 (All in favour of UTC).
Championship Division
UTT 69 (Aquila Blugh 18/26, Jenicia Goodridge 23/31, George Ann Horsford 28/36) vs POLICE 18 (Melissa Thomas 9/16, Aaliyah Andrew 0/1, Tamika John 9/15). Quarter scores: 1st 17-9, 2nd 32-13, 3rd 50-15 (All in favour of UTT).
UWI 54 (Maikea Bramble 46/57, Keiko Roy 5/8, Tishanna Alexis 3/4) vs MIC 35 (Tiffany Gonzales 21/29, Elisha Ramkissoon 8/14, Erica Job 6/9). Quarter scores: 1st 16-9, 2nd 28-17, 3rd 38-30 (All in favour of UWI).
BERMUDEZ 51 (Nekeisha Gomes 44/58, Zakiya Mc Kenna 3/11, Jocelyn Marcelle 4/9) vs DEF FORCE 39 (Jada Hamilton 18/32, Christie Snaggs 21/35). Quarter scores: 1st 8/8, 2nd 20-18 (Def Force), 3rd 35-28 (Bermudez).
Alternative Division
FIRE YOUTH 38 (Nathalyia Fletcher 21/31, Karissa Grant 10/19, Genesis Alexis 7/12) vs POLICE 10 (Nariba Isodore 6/11, Shian Hem Lee 4/8). Quarter scores: 1st 9-2, 2nd 18-3, 3rd 26-7 (All in favour of Fire Youth).
UTT won by default PNYC.
Premiership Division standings
Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 UTT 5 4 0 1 269 146 123 8
2 MIC 5 4 0 1 259 137 122 8
3 UTC 5 1 0 4 154 255 -101 2
4 Jabloteh 5 1 0 4 130 274 -144 2
Thursday’s matches
Alternative Division
Defence Force vs USC, 5.30 pm
Fire Youth vs TT Post, 6.20 pm
Police vs PNYC, 7.10 pm
