Goal-attacks Joelisa Cooper and Kalifa Mc Collin led an all-round near perfect shooting performance from the Anika La Roche-Bryce led "Calypso Girls" as they jumped off their Tri-Nation series with a comprehensive 51-39 defeat of world 11th ranked Northern Ireland at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena, Tacarigua, on Thursday night.Cooper ended with 17 goals from 18 attempts and Mc Collin, 18 from 21 for the 10th ranked T&T women, who after a slow start trailing 12-14 at the end of the first quarter, turned things around from the second period, outscoring the visitors 15-7 for a 27-21 half-time lead.Veteran goal-shooteer Janelle Barker was also outstanding on the night for the "Calypso Netballers" with 10 from 13 while her replacement Afeisha Noel showed she was ready to step up as well, with six of seven for the host, who also outscored its opponent in the third and fourth quarters, 13-10 for a 40-31 cushion, and then 11-8 in the final period to seal the comfortable win that no doubt would have pleased coach Wesley "Pepe" Gomes ahead of today's 4.15 pm clash with one of its Caribbean rivals, Barbados which is ranked ninth in the world.
For the visitors, goal-attack Oonagh Mc Cullogh was their top scorer with 20 goals from 33 attempts while goal-shooting duo, Lisa Sommerville and Noleen Lennon chipped in with 10 off 19 tries and nine from 15, respectively.
Last night, Barbados played its first match against Northern Ireland, while the latter will also take on Fire Services in today's opening match from 3.15 pm.The tournament is the first international outing for Gomes and his team since their winless tour of South Africa last September where they faced the host country and England, losing both matches in Port Elizabeth.Like that tour, the tri-nation series is being served as preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland later this year.At the Commonwealth Games, T&T will compete in a tough six-team Pool B against World champions, Australia, England, South Africa, Wales and neighbours Barbados, while New Zealand, Jamaica, Malawi, Scotland, Northern Ireland and St Lucia will compete in Pool A.T&T team: Anika La Roche-Bryce (captain); Afeisha Noel, Janelle Barker, Joelisa Cooper, Kalifa Mc Collin, Rhonda John-Davis, Crystal Ann George, Onella Jack, Alicia Liverpool, Kemba Duncan, Candace Guerrero, Tricia Liverpool. Technical staff; Wesley "Pepe" Gomes (coach), Carol Gittens (manager)
Today Matches
Northern Ireland vs Fire Services, 3.15 pm
T&T vs Barbados, 4.35 pm
Closing Ceremony, 5,15 pm