Combermere rolls on in netball

etball queens the Combermere School outshone  the Christ Church Foundation School  with a double win in both age groups of the 2024 Dasani Powerade Barbados Secondary Schools’ Netball League Under-13 and Under-19 competitions played at the Church Hill, Christ Church institution.

 

On Monday afternoon the two sports arch-rivals met on the netball court, and Combermere got the best of Foundation in the U19 matchup that ended 24-21 in favour of the visitors.

 

Combermere took an early lead in the first quarter, finishing 6-3 as their shooters Tyesha Trotman and Naylei Yearwood found their momentum. Trotman, playing as goal-shooter, was adjudged best shooter when Combermere won the U19 crown last year.

 

A national Under-16 player as well, Trotman displayed remarkable accuracy with 14 goals from 18 attempts, while goal-attack Yearwood contributed 10 goals from 12 attempts.

 

At halftime, Christ Church Foundation had narrowed the gap, with Serena Rouse and Ashari Brathwaite working well together. Rouse netted 9-12 as goal-shooter, while Brathwaite scored 12-17 as goal-attack, bringing the score to 11-9 in favour of Combermere.

 

The third quarter was entertaining with both teams exchanging goals and momentum swinging back and forth. Combermere maintained a slender one-point lead at 18-17 heading into the final period.

 

Despite a strong push from Christ Church Foundation, who briefly levelled the score, Combermere’s determination in the closing minutes allowed them to secure a hard-fought 24-21 win.

 

In the U13 division, Combermere also emerged victorious in a low-scoring but equally intense game, edging out Christ Church Foundation 6-5.

 

Combermere’s Skye Cox led the way as goal-shooter, scoring a perfect four along with  teammate Kycia Phillips, as goal-attack, added two goals from three attempts. Despite the home team’s efforts, with Eubriena Knight out front scoring three out of four attempts as a goal-attack, Combermere clinched the narrow victory.

 

After a tied first half at 4-4, the game saw fewer goals in the second half as both teams tightened their defence. However, Combermere managed to secure the deciding point, showcasing strong teamwork and effective communication.

 

In another Zone 1 U19 match, The Lodge School comfortably defeated Princess Margaret Secondary with a final score of 16-9. Lodge School took control early, leading 5-3 at the end of the first quarter. They continued to build on this momentum throughout the game, with standout performances from goal-shooter Jenica Graham, who scored six goals from 10 attempts, and goal-attack Caitlyn Boyce, who contributed 10 goals from 19 attempts.

 

Princess Margaret’s efforts to mount a comeback were thwarted by solid defensive play from The Lodge School, extending their lead in each quarter. Even after a spirited performance from Princess Margaret’s goal-attack Keanna Connell with seven of her 14 attempts, they could not close the gap, resulting in a decisive win for The Lodge School.

(AS)