Swift leads UTT to Open kayo crown

Daystar Swift continued her impressive form in the 23rd season of the Courts All Sectors Netball League when she led the University of T&T (UTT) to the Open Knockout title at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena, Tacarigua on Saturday night. 

Coming up against Police in the final, UTT emerged champions 24-19 thanks to goal shoot Swift scoring 20 of her 23 attempts, in the 30-minute contest while goal attack, Jillisa Allan chipped in with four from 11. 

The win secured a sixth title so far for UTT netballers this season following their triumphs in the Alternative Division league and knockout, Premier Division league, Opening Day knockout titles, as well as the March Past so far this season. 

For Police, goal shoot Joelisa Cooper was its main contributor with 14 goals from 16 attempts and Kalifa Mc Collin added, five from eight. 

In the semifinal round, Swift was again at the centre of her team’s attack with a perfect 13 goals from 13 attempts in their narrow 21-20 defeat of last year’s tournament winner, Fire Service. 

Allan poured in eight from 11 while Fire Service got 19 of 24 from Afeisha Noel and one from five by Simone Morgan. 

The Law-women had a much easier time in their semifinal, coasting to a 15-4 beating of UWI with Mc Collin converting nine from 14 attempts, Cooper four of five and Gursher Grant, two of four. 

Today, the title race in the Championship Division could well be decided when current table leaders, Bermudez faces fourth placed UWI from 7.20 pm, needing a win to be certain of the crown. 

Currently, Bermudez leads with 14 points from nine matches, one more than last year’s winners Police who woman their duel on Saturday, 51-49 to halt its opponents title celebrations while staying

Police which has an inferior goal-difference to Bermudez will play Defence Force on Tuesday in its final match and will be hoping for UWI to avoid defeat to give it a chance at victory.

Saturday’s results 

Courts Open Knockout:
Round-of-16: 
Jabloteh bt COSTAATT - by default

Quarterfinals:
Fire Service 23 (Afeisha Noel 10/12, Nariba Grant 8/12, Simone Morgan 3/7, Jellene Richardson 2/6) vs Jabloteh 15 (Debra Bain 14/17, Samantha James 1/6).

UTT 22 (Daystar Swift 18/24, Kimberly Collette 4/10) vs Bermudez 11 (Joycelyn Marcelle 6/13, Kathy James 5/10) 

Police 22 (Kalifa Mc Collin 18/27, Grusher Grant 3/5, Shavaughn Skeete 1/2) vs Defence Force 21 (Karlene Sylvester 13/23, Dianne Pierre 8/16)

UWI 12 (Abeni Taylor 8/15, Akeela Rodriguez 4/7) vs TSTT 8 (Sophia Harper 7/12, Cherise Carmichael 1/8)

Semifinals: 
UTT 21 (Daystar Swift 13/13, Jillisa Allan 8/11) vs Fire Service 20 (Afeisha Noel 19/24, Simone Morgan 1/5)
Police 15 (Kalifa Mc Collin 9/14, Joelisa Cooper 4/5, Gursher Grant 2/4) vs UWI 4 (Abeni Taylor 2/4, Akeela Rodriguez 2/11)

Final:
UTT 24 (Daystar Swift 20/23, Jillisa Allan 4/11) vs Police 19 (Joelisa Cooper 14/16, Kalifa Mc Collin 5/8).