Fire Service 'X' goal-shooter Simone Morgan had a far better shooting performance in Thursday's round of First Division matches in the Lystra Lewis Port-of-Spain Netball League, notching a brilliant 44 goals from 60 attempts to ease her team to a huge 53-16 win over Defence Force 'Y'.
Playing on court two at the Jean Pierre Complex in Mucurapo in the opening match of a 'Y' group double-header, the defending champion completely dominated the encounter, leading 18-3 in the first quarter, growing that lead in the second session to 21 (32-9) at the halfway mark.
Defence Force never recovered despite getting 15 from 23 from opening goal-shooter Melissa Snaggs, the best of the four shooters used as the army/coastguard combination unit trailed 40-15 in the third before falling to the heavy 37-goal defeat, it's fourth in as many matches.
Giving Morgan support in the circle was Ayanna Hamlet, who connected nine of 12, in the lopsided match as Fire remained unbeaten after four matches as well, to all but book a spot in the final four. The top two teams from groups X and Y advance to compete for the title.
In the later match, Laventille and Marvellites battled from start to finish but it was the latter coming away with a narrow 31-29 victory.
Janika Raybourne (18/28) and Anika McKenna (13/21) were the shooters for the winning Marvellites team, which led throughout 8-5 in the first, 15-12 at the half and 23-7 in the third.
Over on court one, Defence Force 'X' and Fire 'Y' were the winners over San Juan Jabloteh and Transcend, respectively.
Led by the shooting of Kimeria James (26/42) and Jameela McCarthy (25/29), the unbeaten soldier/sailor combination team made light work of Jabloteh, beating them, 54-18.
For Fire, Adasha Norton had another superb shooting performance with 37 in 43 to help her team win 43-36.
Matches will resume on Monday with the knockout competition for teams in the Kiwi Division.
Results
First Division
X group
Defence Force 'X' 54 (Kemarie James 26/42, Makeda Haynes 3/6, Jameela McCarthy 25/29) vs San Juan Jabloteh 18 (Samantha Lewis 11/25, Lilia Cameron 7/12). Quarter scores: 1st. 10-4, 2nd. 20-9, 3rd. 39-13 (All in favour of Defence Force).
Fire 'Y' 43 (Adasha Norton 37/43, Leann O'Brian 3/7, Dionne Janes 2/2, Ayanna Peters 1/2) vs Transcend 36 (Nicola Solomon 17/31, Reeka Seerattan 19/28). Quarter scores: 1st. 11-10 (Fire), 2nd. 22-21 (Transcend), 3rd. 29-25 (Transcend).
Y group
Defence Force 'Y' 16 (Melissa Snaggs 15/23, Makeda Pierre 0/1, Cheryl Ann Millington 0/3, Samantha Kingsale 1/4) vs Fire 'X' 53 (Simone Morgan 44/60, Ayanna Hamlet 9/12). Quarter scores: 1st. 18-3, 2nd. 32-9, 3rd. 40-15 (All in favour of Fire).
Laventille 29 (Nyota Saldenha 11/20, Germaine Charles 18/26, Camille Alexis 0/1) vs Marvellites 31 (Janika Raybourne 18/28, Anika McKenna 13/21). Quarter scores: 1st. 8-5, 2nd. 15-12, 3rd. 23-7 (All in favour of Marvellites).