Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls won their second straight match at the Netball World Cup by brushing side Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, yesterday.
Barbados were meanwhile brought back down to earth by New Zealand following their opening win.
The world number two Jamaicans strolled to an uncomplicated 68-43 victory in Group C while in Group B Barbados went down 78-25.
The victory left Jamaica top of their group with the crucial clash against the also unbeaten South Africa looming today.
T&T, meanwhile, who lost Friday’s opener to South Africa, lie third without a point to their credit.
Jamaica were led by goal-shooter Jhaniele Fowler, who shot 38 goals from 40 attempts while Shanice Beckford chipped in with 12 from 14 and goal-attack Rebekah Robinson, 11 from 20.
T&T were carried by goal-shooter Samantha Wallace with 19 from 24 attempts while Kalifa McCollin netted 19 from 21.
Yet again, the Trinidadians produced a strong first quarter to keep Jamaica on their toes but once the Caribbean powerhouses raised the tempo, there was little doubt about the outcome.
Wallace went eight from 10 and McCollin shot a perfect seven as the margins remained close early on with Trinidad trailing 15-17 at the end of the first quarter.
Fowler, who shot 14 from 15 in the opening quarter, then converted 16 from 17 attempts as Jamaica asserted themselves, out-scored T&T 25-8, and stormed to a 42-23 lead.
The third quarter proved more competitive but Fowler, with a perfect eight-from-eight, kept Jamaica out front and they were comfortably ahead, 57-34, heading into the final quarter.
Barbados, ranked 11th in the world, knew they were always in for a difficult time against the fourth-ranked Silver Ferns and the script played out as expected.
The Caribbean side never got out of single digits in any of the quarters, trailing 9-16 at the end of the first before finding themselves down, 14-42 at half-time.
In the third quarter, Barbados were out-scored 19-6 to trail 20-61, and the final quarter was for mere formalities.
Goal-shooter Shonica Wharton led Barbados with 14 from 17 attempts while for New Zealand, wing attack Bailey Mes scored 30 from 33 and goal-shooter Maria Folau netted 21 from 24.
Barbados are third on two points and face ninth-ranked Malawi in their final group game today. (CMC)