Clearly, Afeisha Noel was unaffected by the lengthy lay-off, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as she dominated in the shooting circle to help Fire Service retain another title in the Premiership Division of the Courts All Sectors Netball League, the Steve Sarjeant Challenge on Saturday evening.
Teams that have shown up to play are doing so under the "New Normal" conditions which means playing at a new venue, changing from Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Tacarigua to the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, Tunapauna and without any spectators.
Still, Noel excelled and easily found the bottom of the net, producing 27 goals off 35 attempts, to lead Fire to a 30-19 victory in the final against Police Y, which advanced to the title match without breaking a sweat as its opponent, Police X, did not show up for the annual 20-minute-a-half knockout competition.
It was a close encounter up until halftime which the policewomen trailed by one (15-14) with goal-shooter Tia Dillon and goal-attack Tahirah Hollingsworth giving a good account of themselves.
However, in the second half, the Fire officers took it up a notch at both ends of the court with Noel and captain goal-attack combined for 15 goals compared to Police's five to claim its third title for this season, already picking up the league and divisional knockout crowns.
For Police, Dillon finished with six off 15 and Hollingsworth, 13/17 in a losing effort.
Earlier, Noel and Morgan got the job done against Defence Force, with the former scoring 20 of 31 and her teammate 15 of 25 to comfortably win the second semifinal match-up, 35-13.
It was also the second does of celebration for Fire, whose lower team copped the Championship Division league title after defeating Open Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), 39-24 in the finale.
Leading the way for Fire was Adasha Norton, who dazzled with 33 in 49 to have her team ahead throughout, 9-5 in the first quarter, 19-10 at the half and 25-19 in the third session before sealing the 15-goal victory.
The third-place playoff between Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) Sparks and Bermudez match was abandoned after neither teams showed up but they or any other team will be penalised for. The organisers of the 30th edition of the league have been lenient towards the rules due to the pandemic.
Last week, the league had a simple presentation to the Alternative Division league champion, the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC), with its awards. The division completed its season before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 30th edition of the league is expected to close on the weekend and according to executive member Brenda Prince, it will be done without any fanfare.
"There will be no formal closing ceremony this year," said Prince, adding that it will be done this way to avoid a large crowd.
The league took a break yesterday for the general elections but resumes today with the start of Championship Divisional Knockout competition. It continues on Thursday.
Results
Premiership Division - Steve Sarjeant Challenge
Final
Fire 30 (Afeisha Noel 27/35, Simone Morgan 3/3) vs Police Y 19 (Tia Dillon 6/15, Tahirah Hollingsworth 13/17). Half time: 15-14 (Fire).
Semifinal
Defence Force 13 (Anastascia Wilson 8/12, Betty Ann Jackson 0/0, Jameela McCarty 5/5) vs Fire 35 (Afeisha Noel 20/31, Simone Morgan 15/25). Half time: 14-4 (Fire).
Championship Division
Final
Open Campus (UWI) 24 (Shanniya Morgan 17/29, Zakiya McKenna 3/5, Akeela Rodriguez 4/5) vs Fire 39 (Adasha Norton 33/49, Pearl St John 6/11, Akeisha Baptiste 0/0). Quarter scores: 1st. 9-5, 2nd. 19-10, 3rd. 25-19 (All in favour of Fire).
Tuesday's matches
Police X vs Bermudez, 5.30 pm
Jabloteh vs UTC, 6.50 pm
UTT vs Police, 7.10 pm
TSTT vs Fire, 8 pm