Propped up by the shooting of Kerry McMillan, Defence Force got the better of Police Youth Club (PYC) in the Premiership Division of the Courts All Sectors Netball League, beating them 41-37 in an exciting match-up.
It was in the last of five matches played in three divisions on Saturday at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Tacarigua. In the opening match, TSTT topped Metal Industries Company (MIC) Tigers, 21-15 while in the first of two Championship Division matches, Defence Force fell to TSTT (29-18), Jabloteh beat Miscellaneous (39-21) and in the other Premiership match, Unit Trust Corporation bounced back to hold Las Lomas Academy to a 39-39 draw.
McMillan playing in the goal-attack position, led the army/coastguard team with 39 goals from 52 attempts as his team led at the end of each quarter, 6-3 in the first, 19-16 at the half and 30-25 in the third, keeping the PYC team at bay in the fourth period to complete the 14-goal victory. Goal-shooter Afeisha Noel added the other two goals from eight tries.
Shooting for PYC were Tahirah Hollingsworth (17/21) and Fabrice Fisher (20/41).
In the other Premiership match, the men's shooters stood out for either team with Keon Russell scoring a match-high 26 goals from 31 tries as Las Lomas trailed at the end of the first quarter by a goal (10-9).
In the second quarter, Las Lomas made a change in the circle replacing goal-shooter Racquel Russell (1/4) with Akeela Rodriguez as it rallied back to hold a 21-18 advantage at the end of the first half, maintaining its three-point (31-29) lead into the third session.
UTC though did not fade and fought back, outscoring Las Lomas, 10-8 in the fourth period to level the scores at 39 as time expired.
Aquila Blugh 15/24, Cavel Forrester 20/27, Dave Alexander (4/6) were the shooters for UTC.
Action continues this evening in the league, with competition in the Retro Division. At 5.30 pm, MIC Tigers takes on Les Enfants and then the five teams in the competition battles in the Retro-style knockout contest.
Results
Retro Division
MIC Tigers 15 (Olivia Le Platte 2/8, Anita Pitt-Russell 12/20, Sojourner Hyles 1/6) vs TSTT 21 (Denise rose 15/25, Debra Alie 6/9). Quarter scores: 1st. 5-5; 2nd. 10-8 (TSTT); 3rd. 13-13.
Championship Division
Defence Force 18 (Melissa Snaggs 12/22, Jody Sprott 2/8, Cheryl Millington 2/7, Makeda Pierre 2/6) vs TSTT 29 (Sophia Harper 6/19, Kanika Paul-Payne 20-26, Kamila Sobers 3/7). Quarter scores: 1st. 12-6; 2nd. 15-10; 3rd. 23-14 (All in favour TSTT).
Miscellaneous 21 (Akeida Bascombe 0/3, Reeka Seerattan 11/21, Annola Charles 2/7, Germaine Charles 8/16) vs Jabloteh 39 (Giselle Hobson 17/33, Zakiya McKenna 22/40). Quarter scores: 1st. 6-3; 2nd. 15-13; 3rd. 27-16 (All in favour Jabloteh).
Premiership Division
Las Lomas 39 (Racquel Russell 1/4, Keon Russell 26/31, Akeela Rodriguez 12/21) vs UTC 39 (Aquila Blugh 15/24, Cavel Forrester 20/27, Dave Alexander 4/6). Quarter scores: 1st. 10-9 (UTC); 2nd. 21-18 (Las Lomas); 3rd. 31-29 (Las Lomas).
Defence Force 41 (Afeisha Noel 2/8, Kerry McMillan 39/52) vs PYC 37 (Tahirah Hollingsworth 17/21, Fabrice Fisher 20/41). Quarter scores: 1st. 6-3; 2nd. 19-16; 3rd. 30-25 (All in favour Defence Force).